Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Travel

AAA says these are the worst (and best) times to travel this holiday season

Take advantage of remote work this holiday season and get to your destination early

By
Frederic Legrand - COMEO / Shutterstock

The holiday season is in full swing, and travel disruptions and delays are showing no signs of slowing down. If you are flying or driving around the holidays, then you will want to be strategic about the days and times you begin your trip. 

The American Automobile Association (AAA) projects 115.2 million travelers will venture more than 50 miles from home over the 10-day holiday travel period (Saturday, December 23 to Monday, January 1). This is a 2.2% increase since last year and the second-highest travel forecast since the start of the century. AAA expects 90% of people to travel by car, 6.5% to travel by air, and 3.5% to use other means of transportation. 

Recommended Videos

The best and worst times to hit the road this holiday season

Around 104 million people are expected to travel by car during the 10-day travel period. Particularly congested travel days include Saturday, December 23, Thursday, December 28, and Saturday, December 30. Minimal traffic is expected on Sunday, December 24, Monday, December 25, Sunday, December 31, and Monday, January 1. Traveling on these days is preferable if you can be flexible with your schedule. 

Related

These are the best and worst times to travel by car this holiday season, according to AAA.

Saturday, December 23

  • Worst time: 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM
  • Best time: Before 10:00 AM

Tuesday, December 26

  • Worst time: 1:00 to 5:00 PM
  • Best time: Before 12:00 PM

Wednesday, December 27

  • Worst time: 1:00 to 7:00 PM
  • Best time: Before 12:00 PM

Thursday, December 28

  • Worst time: 2:00 to 8:00 PM
  • Best time: Before 12:00 PM

Friday, December 29

  • Worst time: 2:00 to 8:00 PM
  • Best time: Before 12:00 PM

Saturday, December 30

  • Worst time: 5:00 to 7:00 PM
  • Best time: Before 12:00 PM

AAA also predicts peak congestion by metro area, with cities such as Denver, San Francisco, and Washington DC projected to experience over 60% of their normal traffic.

Christmas tree in airport
Mikhail Starodubov / Shutterstock

The best and worst times to head to the airport

Airports are also expected to be the busiest they have ever been, and AAA projects 7.5 million air travelers over the holiday season. According to USA Today, most people are expected to fly out for their trips on Thursday, December 21, and Friday, December 22. They are expected to return home on Thursday, December 28, and Friday, December 29. 

If possible, traveling before or after these dates is preferable. In fact, if you can be flexible with your travel plans, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day see significantly less airport traffic than the days leading up to and following the holidays.

Editors’ Recommendations

Topics
Amanda Teague
Amanda Teague
Contributor
Amanda, an accomplished freelance writer with over five years of experience, is a dedicated explorer of both the world and…
Nomatic’s sleek new carry-on bag is your holiday travel solution
A man holding the handle of a nomatic bag in the airport

Making your way through the airport can be a (literal) drag, from trying to keep your bulky items in order to deal with delays and last-minute gate changes. Luckily, Nomatic luggage is lightweight, effortlessly glides on its spinning wheels, and looks good while doing it.
Just in time for the holidays, the Nomatic brand has released a sleek carry-on, the Method Luggage Carry-On. The team boldly claims they "broke science" by devising a bag with 20% more packing space than comparable models. It's also 15% lighter weight than other carry-ons that are the same size, literally taking a burden off of the savvy traveler.
But with so many luxury travel bags on the market, is this one worth its price tag, and what actually fits inside? After a few weeks of testing The Method Carrry-On up close and personal, here are my thoughts on what it does best and who it's best suited for.

The Method Luggage Carry-On comes with these luxurious features

Read more
Don’t risk it: TSA’s list of banned holiday items for flights
TSA has a naughty list for holiday items
Security check sign in airport

Flying during the holidays generally involves a unique interaction with the TSA. The TSA rules become stricter as airports teem with festive travelers and their holiday-themed belongings. However, before you bring your holiday goodies to the airport, it's important to know what can you take on the plane.
TSA liquid rules
Before diving into the specifics of what you can and cannot bring on a plane, it's important to be aware of the TSA's rules for liquids The TSA liquids rule, often called the 3-1-1 rule, applies to passengers bringing liquids in their carry-on luggage. 

3.4 ounces or less: Each liquid container must be 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or smaller.

Read more
The best backpacks for air travel: Style meets functionality
man in an airport

When it comes to air travel, choosing the right backpack is almost as important as booking the right flight. But with so many options on the market, how do you find the perfect travel backpack? We’ve rounded up the best backpacks for air travel that strike the ideal balance between functionality, style, and comfort. 
What makes a backpack ideal for air travel?

Before diving into our top picks, let’s talk about what makes a backpack great for air travel. Here are some key features to look for:

Read more