Avoid the crowds: The best, worst times to drive (or fly) for Christmas and New Year's

Holiday travelers, get ready. This year, an unprecedented number of people are set to hit the roads and skies for their year-end celebrations.

This year, AAA predicts 119.3 million people will be traveling more than 50 miles starting from Dec. 21 to Jan. 1. That's 3 million more than last year and 64,000 more than 2019. Nearly 90% of these travelers will be driving to their destinations, although the 7.85 million air passengers are also record-breaking.

"This is the time of year when lifelong memories are made with loved ones, and travel plays a big role in that," Vice President of AAA Travel Stacey Barber said in a statement. "This year, with Christmas Day falling on a Wednesday, we’re anticipating record-breaking travel numbers the weekend before and the weekend after the holiday."

Here's everything to know about this year's holiday travel season.

Not everyone goes home for the holidays: Some chose it, others are forced. Here's why.

The worst and best days to fly for Christmas and New Year's

Between Monday, Dec. 23, and New Year's Day, 32.5 million seats are scheduled to depart from U.S. airports, a 2.4% increase from last year, according to Hopper's Christmas Outlook. Although there isn't a specific day that stands out as the busiest, Hopper anticipates that the entire travel period between Christmas and New Year's will have high volumes of air passengers.

Travelers can avoid the worst crowds if they fly on Christmas Eve, Christmas, New Year's Eve and New Year's. Not surprisingly, those popular travel days are also when airfare is the most expensive for the holiday season. But a little flexibility on travel days and times can help unlock better last-minute deals.

Busiest U.S. airports for Christmas

According to Hopper, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, and Denver International Airport are anticipated to be the busiest airports from Christmas to New Year's. Each has over 1.3 million scheduled departing seats. The highest volume of those seats depart between 8 a.m. and noon, so get there with plenty of buffer time if you have a morning flight.

The worst times to drive for Christmas and New Year's

The weekends before Christmas and New Year's are predicted to have the worst road congestion, with travel times taking up to 30% longer than usual, according to INRIX.

Below are the worst driving travel times for the holidays:

• Thursday, Dec. 19 – between 3 and 8 p.m.

• Friday, Dec. 20 – between 1 and 8 p.m.

• Saturday, Dec. 21 – between 4 and 8 p.m.

• Sunday, Dec. 22 – between 3 and 8 p.m.

• Monday, Dec. 23 – between 1 and 6 p.m.

• Thursday, Dec. 26 – noon and 5 p.m.

• Friday, Dec. 27 – between 3 and 7 p.m.

• Saturday, Dec. 28 – between 1:30 and 7 p.m.

• Sunday, Dec. 29 – between noon and 6 p.m.

• Monday, Dec. 30 – between 5 and 7 p.m.

• Thursday, Jan. 2 – between 4 and 8 p.m.

The best times to drive for Christmas and New Year's

Traffic is expected to be lightest on the holidays themselves, so if you can afford the flexibility, consider hitting the road on Christmas Eve, Christmas, New Year's Eve or New Year's.Here are the other best travel times to drive for Christmas and New Year's:

• Thursday, Dec. 19 – before 11 a.m.

• Friday, Dec. 20 – before 11 a.m.

• Saturday, Dec. 21 – before 2 p.m.

• Sunday, Dec. 22 – before noon

• Monday, Dec. 23 – before 11 a.m.

• Thursday, Dec. 26 – before 11 a.m.

• Friday, Dec. 27 – before 2 p.m.

• Saturday, Dec. 28 – before 11 1.m.

• Sunday, Dec. 29 – before 11 1.m.

• Monday, Dec. 30 – before 2 p.m.

• Thursday, Jan. 2 – before 3 p.m.

Worst travel times in major US cities

"With a near record number of auto travelers expected this holiday season, drivers should expect delays in and around major metro areas, with Sunday, Dec. 22, expected to be the nation’s worst day to travel," said Bob Pishue, transportation analyst at INRIX, in a statement.

"Our advice is to avoid traveling during peak commuting hours during the week. If schedules allow, leave bright and early or after the evening commute."

▶ Atlanta

• Worst route: Atlanta to Augusta via I-20 E

• Worst day: Sunday, Dec. 22

• Worst time: 1:45 p.m.

• Estimated travel time: 2 hours, 54 minutes

• Increased travel time: 38%

▶ Boston

• Worst route: Boston to Hyannis via Pilgrim Hwy S

• Worst day: Friday, Dec. 20

• Worst time: 3:45 p.m.

• Estimated travel time: 2 hours, 24 minutes

• Increased travel time: 100%

▶ Chicago

• Worst route: Chicago to Milwaukee via I-94 W

• Worst day: Sunday, Dec. 22

• Worst time: 4:45 p.m.

• Estimated travel time: 2 hours, 2 minutes

• Increased travel time: 69%

▶ Houston

• Worst route: Lafayette (LA) to Houston via I-10 W

• Worst day: Friday, Dec. 27

• Worst time: 5:45 p.m.

• Estimated travel time: 4 hours, 54 minutes

• Increased travel time: 53%

▶ Los Angeles

• Worst route: Los Angeles to Palm Springs via I-10 E

• Worst day: Sunday, Dec. 22

• Worst time: 7:45 p.m.

• Estimated travel time: 2 hours, 53 minutes

• Increased travel time: 81%

▶ New York

• Worst route: New York to Hamptons via Long Island Expressway E

• Worst day: Sunday, Dec. 22

• Worst time: 4:30 p.m.

• Estimated travel time: 2 hours, 39 minutes

• Increased travel time: 108%

▶ San Francisco

• Worst route: San Francisco to Napa via I-80 E

• Worst day: Saturday, Dec. 21

• Worst time: 7:30 p.m.

• Estimated travel time: 2 hours, 2 minutes

• Increased travel time: 82%

▶ Seattle

• Worst route: Seattle to Ellensburg via I-90 W

• Worst day: Friday, Dec. 20

• Worst time: 7 p.m.

• Estimated travel time: 3 hours, 18 minutes

• Increased travel time: 106%

▶ Washington, D.C.

• Worst route: Washington, D.C. to Annapolis via US-50 E

• Worst day: Thursday, Dec. 19

• Worst time: 4:30 p.m.

• Estimated travel time: 1 hour, 17 minutes

• Increased travel time: 160%

Finding winter travel deals

With about 50% of Americans set to travel this winter, according to Deloitte, it can pay to push your trip to less popular weeks. Obviously, the period around Christmas, New Year's Eve, and school breaks are among the most in-demand travel times, but later in January and February (excluding Presidents Day) are great times to plan to be away.

According to Hopper, there are round-trip flights from many U.S. cities to the Caribbean for $300 or less throughout January and February and even deals to popular European destinations for less than $400 round-trip.

Just like with holiday travel, staying flexible can help open up the best possible deals, and choosing early, direct flights make it less likely to encounter delays or cancellations.

Contributing: Zach Wichter, USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Best and worst times to travel for Christmas and New Year's 2024