AAA Projects Record 2025 Holiday Travel

Year-end holiday travel is expected to be one for the record books according to the American Automobile Association (AAA). AAA projects 122.4 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home over the 13-day year-end holiday period that starts December 20 and ends January 1. AAA researchers say this year’s forecast is a 2.2% increase over 2024, surpassing last year’s record of 119.7 million travelers.  

“Year-end travel is a mix of family road trips, friend getaways, and tropical vacations” said Stacey Barber, Vice President of AAA Travel. “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.”  

While gas prices are lower over last year's holiday season, air travel and car rental prices are both up.

Year-End Travelers by Mode of Transportation 

By Car:  As usual, road trips are by far the most popular way (89%) Americans will get to their holiday travel destinations this year  AAA projects 109.5 million Americans to travel by car, up 2% compared to last year. Driving is the overwhelming favorite mode of transportation because it's convenient and low cost.  Travelers can also rejoice in lower gas prices this year, compared to last holiday season when the national average was $3.04 to end 2024. AAA say that 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. 

With the record number of car travelers expected on the road, AAA says it urges drivers to make safety a priority.  Remember, too, that December is National Impaired Driving Prevention Month which serves as a timely reminder to make safe choices and stay vigilant. AAA and MADD encourage travelers to plan safe rides home this holiday season during one of the most dangerous times of year on the road.  NHTSA's annual holiday Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over Campaign is also underway.

Also, as Car Pro Show host Jerry Reynolds recommends, keep roadside assistance numbers handy. AAA says that during 2024’s year-end holiday period, it responded to more than 860,000 emergency roadside assistance calls to help stranded drivers with issues like dead batteries, flat tires, and empty fuel tanks. Don't forget to slow down when you see AAA crews, first responders and other road assistance worker.  There are Slow Down, Move Over laws in all U.S. States. When you see stopped vehicles on the side of the road, reduce your speed and change lanes. This actions will give tow truck technicians, law enforcement officials, and other individuals room to complete their work safely. 

For travelers who are renting cars, AAA says its car rental partner Hertz expects Saturday, December 20 to be the busiest pick-up day. The top 5 markets with the highest demand are:

1. Orlando
2. Los Angeles
3. Atlanta
4. Miami
5. Phoenix

AAA says small SUVs make up the most popular car rental class over the year-end holidays. As far as cost goes, AAA booking data shows that domestic car rentals are 1% more expensive this holiday season compared to last year. 

By Air: AAA projects air travel to be up this holiday season with a record 8.03 million travelers taking doozkan ulucamestic flights. That's a 2.3% increase compared to last year. AAA says this will be the first time on record that the number of domestic air travelers over the year-end holiday period exceeds 8 million.  

Price-wise, flying is more expensive this year over last. According to AAA data,  based on what travelers paid when they booked their holiday trips, a roundtrip domestic flight is 7% more expensive this year, averaging nearly $900 a ticket. It's priciest to fly in the days leading up to Christmas Day,  with it being cheaper to fly on the holiday itself. 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 4.  

By Other Modes: Travel by other modes is expected to go up by 9% with 4.9 million people traveling by bus, train, or cruise. AAA says this category has seen a 25% increase since 2019, mainly due to the record-setting demand for cruises post-pandemic.  

Photo: ozkan ulucam/Shutterstockcom.