The American Automobile Association (AAA) and INRIX, a provider of transportation data and insights, expects Christmas week to be busier on the roads than New Year’s week, but both weeks will see days of increased traffic. Interstates will be extra congested the weekend before Christmas, as travelers hit the road on Saturday and Sunday ahead of the holiday. Friday, December 26 is also expected to be busy as travelers make moves post-Christmas Day. Because the year-end holiday travel period spans a longer time frame, travelers have more options for departures and returns. The holidays themselves – Christmas and New Year’s Day – are typically the lightest traffic-wise but remember crashes or severe weather could create unexpected delays.
Best and Worst Times to Travel by Car
| Date | Worst Travel Time | Best Travel Time |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday December 20 | 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM | After 9:00 PM |
| Sunday, December 21 | 1:00 PM – 7:00 PM | Before 11:00 AM |
| Monday, December 22 | 1:00 PM – 7:00 PM | Before 10:00 AM |
| Tuesday, December 23 | 1:00 PM – 7:00 PM | Before 10:00 AM |
| Wednesday, December 24 | Minimal Traffic Expected | Minimal Traffic Expected |
| Thursday, December 25 | Minimal Traffic Expected | Minimal Traffic Expected |
| Friday, December 26 | 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM | Before 11:00 AM |
| Saturday, December 27 | 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM | Before 11:00 aM |
| Sunday, December 28 | 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM | Before 11:00 AM |
| Monday, December 29 | 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM | Before 10:00 AM |
| Tuesday, December 30 | 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM | Before 10:00 AM |
| Wednesday, December 31 | Minimal Traffic Expected | Minimal Traffic Expected |
| Thursday, January 1 | Minimal Traffic Expected | Minimal Traffic Expected |
| Source: INRIX |
Year-End Holiday Travel Period
For this forecast, AAA’s year-end holiday travel period always includes two weekends. This year, that travel window is defined as the thirteen-day period from Saturday, December 20 to Thursday, January 1.
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