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Holiday travel forecast 2024: Best and worst times to travel this season

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Updated  December 22, 2024 10:12am EST
Holidays
FOX 5 NY

Holiday travel hacks to beat the rush

Travel can be stressful anytime of the year, but around the holidays millions of Americans are on the move and a dream trip can turn into a nightmare. FOX 5 NY's Kendall Green hit the streets to find out some holiday travel hacks.

The Brief

    • This year, AAA projects 119.3 million people will travel 50 miles or more from home over the year-end holiday period.
    • The holiday travel period begins from Saturday, Dec. 21 to Wednesday, Jan. 1.
    • AAA expects an additional 3 million travelers this holiday season compared to last year.

NEW YORK CITY - Holiday travelers, brace yourselves—this year is expected to see a record-breaking number of people taking to the roads and skies for their year-end festivities.

By the numbers

(Photo credit: AAA)

This year, AAA projects 119.3 million people will travel 50 miles or more from home over the year-end holiday period from Saturday, Dec. 21 to Wednesday, Jan. 1. 

According to AAA, this year's domestic travel forecast exceeds the 2019 record by a margin of 64,000 travelers. Compared to 2023, AAA expects an additional 3 million travelers this holiday season.

For our area, The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey said that a record-breaking 13.8 million travelers are expected to use its airports and vehicular crossings during the holiday travel period.

Here's what you need to know when it comes to traveling by car, plane, or other modes of transportation this year: 

Plan on hitting the road? 

Traffic is seen during rush hour on November 12, 2024 in New York. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP) (Photo by ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)

AAA said nearly 90% of holiday travelers will be hitting the road to get to their destinations. 

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey estimates that approximately 8.6 million vehicles will use its bridges and tunnels over the holiday period.

Note: All ongoing repairs and construction projects at its crossings will be suspended from 5 a.m. Monday, Dec. 23, 2024, to 5 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025., the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey said.

According to AAA, 107 million people are expected to travel by car, which is 2.5 million higher than last year.

The good news for drivers is that gas prices are lower this year, the AAA said. Last year, the national average was around $3.12 in the last two weeks of 2023, according to AAA.

Here are the best and worst times during the Thanksgiving travel period to hit the road:

Best times to travel 

  • 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 times to travel

  • 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.

Less traffic is expected on Tuesday, Dec. 24, Wednesday, Dec. 25, Tuesday, Dec. 31 and Wednesday, Jan. 1.

LIVE NYC traffic 

Click HERE to open the embedded map in your browser.

Flying to your destination?

People head down an escalator at LaGuardia Airport (LGA) on one of the busiest travel days of the year on November 26, 2024 in New York City. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has announced that they expect this Thanksgiving holiday to

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AAA projects a record-breaking 7.85 million passengers will take to the skies this holiday season, surpassing last year's record of 7.5 million air travelers. 

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey anticipates about 5.2 million passengers will travel through John F. Kennedy International, Newark Liberty International, LaGuardia and New York Stewart International airports this year.

Note: The busiest travel days at agency airports are expected on Dec. 22 and 23, 2024, with significant passenger volume also expected on Dec. 27 and Jan. 2, 2025, according to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

According to AAA booking data, airfares have risen by 4% compared to last year, with domestic tickets averaging $830. International flights have seen an even steeper increase, up 13%, with an average cost of $1,630 per ticket.

To see travel tips from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, click here.

Delays and cancelations at NYC-area airports

Check the status of each airport below:

JFK Airport status

  • For more information from FlightAware, click HERE.

LaGuardia Airport status 

  • For more information from FlightAware, click HERE.

Newark Airport status

  • For more information from FlightAware, click HERE.

Buses, trains, and cruises

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 12: An MTA bus stops to pick up passengers on 34th Street in Herald Square on November 12, 2023, in New York City. (Photo by Gary Hershorn/Getty Images)

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This holiday season, nearly 10% more Americans are opting for buses, trains, and cruises compared to last year, with AAA estimating 4.47 million travelers—marking a 20-year-high. 

Domestic cruise bookings have surged by 37% from last year.

The Source: AAA Newsroom and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey contributed to this report.

HolidaysTravelNew York City