WASHINGTON, D.C. — AAA projects 122.4 million people will travel 50 miles or more from home between December 20, 2025, and January 1, 2026, setting a new all-time record for the 13-day year-end holiday period.
The forecast marks a 2.6 million increase over last year’s previous record of 119.7 million travelers and continues the post-pandemic surge in holiday road trips and flights.
“Nearly 9 in 10 holiday travelers will drive this year, drawn by lower gas prices and the flexibility of a road trip,” said Ragina Cooper Ali, Manager of Public and Government Affairs for AAA Mid-Atlantic serving Maryland and Washington, D.C. “For the first time in four years the national average has dropped below $3 a gallon, and prices could fall further before 2025 ends.”
Driving will remain the dominant choice with 109.5 million motorists expected on the roads — up 2 percent from 2024. Domestic air travel is forecast to reach a record 8.03 million passengers, while 4.9 million others will use buses, trains, or cruises, a 9 percent jump in that category.
Southern Maryland travelers will feel the surge on major corridors including US-301, MD-5, I-95, and the Bay Bridge.
INRIX transportation analysts predict the busiest travel days locally will be:
- Saturday, December 20 and Sunday, December 21 (pre-Christmas weekend departures)
- Friday, December 26 (post-Christmas travel)
- Thursday, January 1 and Friday, January 2 (New Year’s returns)
Christmas Day and New Year’s Day itself remain the lightest traffic days.
Best and Worst Times to Travel by Car Date Worst Travel Time Best Travel Time Saturday, Dec 20 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM After 9:00 PM Sunday, Dec 21 1:00 PM – 7:00 PM Before 11:00 AM Monday, Dec 22 1:00 PM – 7:00 PM Before 10:00 AM Tuesday, Dec 23 1:00 PM – 7:00 PM Before 10:00 AM Wednesday, Dec 24 Minimal Traffic Impact Expected Thursday, Dec 25 Minimal Traffic Impact Expected Friday, Dec 26 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM Before 11:00 AM Saturday, Dec 27 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM Before 11:00 AM Sunday, Dec 28 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM Before 11:00 AM Monday, Dec 29 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM Before 10:00 AM Tuesday, Dec 30 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM Before 10:00 AM Wednesday, Dec 31 Minimal Traffic Impact Expected Thursday, Jan 1 Minimal Traffic Impact Expected
AAA and Mothers Against Drunk Driving remind motorists that December is National Impaired Driving Prevention Month. Last year-end holiday period, AAA responded to more than 860,000 roadside assistance calls nationwide for dead batteries, flat tires, and lockouts.
Motorists are urged to follow Maryland and Virginia “Slow Down, Move Over” laws when passing emergency vehicles on the shoulder.
Domestic round-trip airfares booked through AAA average nearly $900 this season — 7 percent higher than last year — with the most expensive days falling immediately before Christmas. Flying on Christmas Day itself or New Year’s Eve offers the lowest fares.
Top booked destinations for the period include Orlando, Miami, Honolulu, Los Angeles, and cruise ports in Florida and the Caribbean.
The forecast was developed in partnership with S&P Global Market Intelligence using economic indicators, historical travel data, and advance booking trends.