AAA Forecasts Record Holiday Travel

AAA Carolinas projects a record 122.4 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home during the 13-day year-end holiday travel period, which runs from December 20 through January 1. The forecast represents a 2.2 percent increase over 2024 and surpasses last year’s record of 119.7 million holiday travelers.

In North Carolina, an estimated 3.7 million residents are expected to travel for the holidays, a 2.9 percent increase from last year. Of those travelers, about 3.3 million are expected to travel by automobile, up 2.5 percent from 2024, while just over 200,000 North Carolinians are projected to fly, a 2 percent increase.

Nationally, AAA estimates 109.5 million Americans will travel by car during the year-end period, a 2 percent rise compared to last year. Driving continues to be the preferred mode of transportation due to its convenience and affordability.

Adding to the appeal of road travel this holiday season, gas prices are lower than a year ago, with the national average falling below $3 per gallon for the first time in four years.