In a bustling holiday season, a remarkable 122.4 million Americans are set to embark on journeys of 50 miles or more from December 20 to January 1, as reported by AAA. This marks a 2.2% uptick from 2024’s figures, breaking the previous record of 119.7 million travelers.

Driving continues to reign supreme as the preferred method of travel, with AAA estimating that 109.5 million Americans will hit the road. The appeal of road trips remains strong, offering both affordability and flexibility, as 89% of holiday travelers plan to take advantage of the open roads.

In Florida alone, around 7.5 million residents are expected to join the holiday travel rush, predominantly opting for car journeys. This trend sees an increase of nearly 200,000 road travelers compared to the prior year, reflecting a 2% rise.

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An estimated 7.5 million Floridians will be among those traveling for the holidays, with the majority choosing to travel by car. Road trips are expected to increase by nearly 200,000 compared to last year, a 2% increase.

Travelers are advised to plan ahead by booking plane tickets, hotel rooms and rental cars early to avoid last-minute hassles. AAA also suggests allowing extra travel time to accommodate potential delays, and consider purchasing travel insurance if flying during winter weather conditions.

Data from AAA shows domestic flight prices have risen 7% compared to last year, while hotel stays have increased by 13%.

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However, there is some relief at the pump, as gas prices are currently lower than last year. The national average has dipped below $3 per gallon for the first time in four years.

AAA’s year-end top destinations show warm-weather spots dominate, with Florida, Southern California, and Hawaii leading domestic travel. Caribbean and Mexican resort towns are also popular for celebrating the holidays and ringing in 2026.

Orlando remains the top U.S. destination and could see especially busy roads and airports during the holiday season.

Best/Worst Times to Drive

Christmas week is forecast to be busier on the roads than New Year’s week, but both weeks will see days of increased traffic, according to INRIX, a provider of transportation data and insights.

• Interstates will be more congested the weekend before Christmas, as travelers hit the road on Saturday and Sunday ahead of the holiday.

• Friday, December 26 is also expected to be busy as travelers make moves post-Christmas Day.

• Because the year-end holiday travel period spans a longer time frame, travelers have more options for departures and returns.

• Christmas Day and New Year’s Day are typically the lightest traffic-wise, but remember, crashes or severe weather could create unexpected delays.