It's Official: 2025 Is Shaping Up To Be the Busiest Holiday Travel Season on Record

According to AAA, Americans are about to travel in RECORD numbers this Holiday Season.

Flying!

According to the group, an estimated 122.4 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home over the 13-day year-end Holiday period beginning December 20th and ending January 1st, encompassing the Christmas and New Year’s Holidays. That would be a 2.2% increase over 2024’s record-breaking 119.7 million travelers.

AAA projects 109.5 million Americans — 89% of Holiday travelers — will travel by car for their year-end trips, an increase of 2% over 2024. According to the group, “driving is the overwhelming favorite among all modes of transportation because of its convenience and low cost. Gas prices are lower compared to last holiday season, when the national average was $3.04 to end 2024. For the first time in 4 years, the national average dropped below $3 a gallon this month, and prices could continue dropping as 2025 comes to a close.”

Roads will be packed

While driving is poised to be the most common mode of Holiday transportation, millions of Americans will also be traveling in other ways. AAA projects a record 8.03 million travelers will take domestic flights this holiday season, a 2.3% increase compared to last year. According to the group, this will be the “first time on record that the number of domestic air travelers over the year-end holiday period exceeds 8 million.”

©JetBlue

That number is especially impressive since round-trip domestic flights are 7% more expensive in 2024, averaging nearly $900 a ticket. The group reports that the days leading up to Christmas Day are the most expensive, while flying on the holiday itself is cheaper. Furthermore, “New Year’s flights are also pricey with many people returning home on New Year’s Day or even squeezing one extra weekend out of the holiday season and coming back on Sunday, January 4th.”

Security lines at Orlando International Airport

Finally, travel by so-called other methods, including bus, train, and cruise, is set to increase by 9%, with 4.9 million people traveling by those means.

According to Stacey Barber, Vice President of AAA Travel, “Year-end travel is a mix of family road trips, friend getaways, and tropical vacations. Holiday celebrations look different for everyone, but a common thread is the desire to travel, whether it’s returning to your hometown or exploring new destinations.”