peak travel days for christmas

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Best & Worst Days to Fly & Travel for the Holidays – Christmas & New Year’s 2024

As seen in our 2023 Christmas Travel Survey , 50.44% of American adults plan to travel to a vacation destination or holiday gathering for Christmas this year.

There are a limited number of flights available for Christmas and New Year’s, so it is important to book as early as possible for the best prices (ideally you have already booked your holiday travel). Additionally, some days are much better than others to fly when it comes to crowds and cost. This guide will detail how far in advance to book holiday travel as well as the best and worst days to fly.

Table of Contents

How Far in Advance to Book Holiday Travel

Ideally, you should book your Thanksgiving and Christmas flights many months in advance. As a rule, we suggest booking domestic flights at least one to three months in advance. For international flights, you should book at least two to eight months in advance, but the earlier the better. For the holidays, you should book even earlier if possible to guarantee a desirable route, time, seat, and price.

With Thanksgiving over, here are our recommended cutoff dates for booking Christmas flights for the 2023 holiday season.

Christmas (book before Thanksgiving)

The best deals on Christmas flights are usually available through late August and early September . If possible, book even earlier in June or July. At the latest, you should book by Thanksgiving, but the earlier the better. If it is December and you still do not have a flight, you should expect to pay a premium. Additionally, you will likely only have undesirable flight times to choose from with the potential for one or more connections. Here is a ranking of our recommended booking times.

• June, July, and August  – Best combination of inventory and cheap prices
• Early through Middle September  – Still a great time
• Early October  – Google’s recommendation. Cheap prices but lower inventory
• Thanksgiving  – Book Christmas flights by Thanksgiving at the latest
• December  – High prices and poor flights (connections, middle seats, bad times, etc.)

Further Reading: When to Book Christmas Flights – Best & Worst Times

Thanksgiving (book before Halloween)

I recommend booking your Thanksgiving flight by late August or early September for the best price. If possible, book in June or July. Book international flights even earlier. If you wait too long, you should aim to book by Halloween at the latest. While it is possible to get a decent deal after Halloween, your chances dramatically decrease. Your odds of finding a desirable flight time also go down when booking after Halloween. Here is a ranking of our recommended times.

• Early October  – Deals are still available but desirable flights may be limited
• Halloween  – Book Thanksgiving flights by Halloween at the latest
• November  – High prices and poor flights (connections, middle seats, bad times, etc.)

Further Reading: When to Book Thanksgiving Flights – Best & Worst Times

Best & Worst Days to Fly for the Holidays

Being on a Thursday every year, the best and worst days to fly for Thanksgiving are predictable. Christmas is a little more difficult since it does not fall on the same day of the week every year. Here are the days you should target and the days you should avoid this holiday season. To come up with our best and worst dates forecast, we sampled hundreds of flight prices around Thanksgiving and Christmas. Our sample included numerous departure and arrival cities around the United States.

Christmas (best departure and return dates)

Our 2023 Christmas Travel Survey shows 50.44% of American adults plan to travel to a vacation destination or gathering. Since Christmas falls on a different day every year, the best days to fly change. Other things such as school and business closures affect the dates too. Christmas can fall on a weekend (as it did in 2022), which further complicates things. Generally, the worst day to fly for Christmas is December 23, but that is not a hard rule.

Best Christmas Travel Dates for 2023

The earlier you depart the week before Christmas the better. Americans will look to get a few days of work in before flying out. If possible, fly on Monday, December 18, or Tuesday, December 19. Sunday, December 17 is even better if you can swing it. Flying on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day is ideal for cheaper prices and fewer crowds too, but you may not want to travel on a holiday.

Christmas falls on a Monday this year, so many people will fly home the day after. Tuesday, December 26 and Wednesday, December 27 will be popular travel days, so try and wait until Thursday or Friday.

Worst Christmas Travel Dates for 2023

The three days before Christmas Eve, the 21st, 22nd, and 23rd, are going to be busy travel days. I recommend avoiding them and departing earlier in the week if you can.

Avoid the Tuesday and Wednesday after Christmas for your return flight. Despite being the day after Christmas, many people will fly home on Tuesday or Wednesday so they can return to work for a few days before the weekend.

New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day Travel Tips

We recommend flying out for New Year’s on Thursday, December 28 or Friday, December 29. Fly home on Wednesday January 3 or Thursday January 4. While it is not ideal, flying out on the night of New Year’s Eve or the morning of New Year’s Day is generally cheap. Unfortunately, you will probably miss New Year’s Eve activities if you opt for an evening flight. An early New Year’s Day flight is not optimal either unless you can go bed very early on New Year’s Eve.

Avoid flying out on Saturday, December 30 and the morning of December 31.

Thanksgiving (best departure and return dates)

Our 2023 Thanksgiving Travel Survey shows more than 45.21% of American adults intend to travel to a vacation destination or holiday gathering last year. That means tens of millions of people will fight over seats for a very limited number of flights.

Best Thanksgiving Travel Dates for 2023

As the table shows, you want to depart early during the week. If possible, Sunday is even better than Monday. While not ideal, Thanksgiving Day is a great day to fly . Black Friday is also a good day to fly if you can swing a shorter trip.

Most people return home the Sunday after Thanksgiving, so aim to fly back on the Friday or Monday after Turkey Day. If you can wait another day, Tuesday is even better than Monday.

Worst Thanksgiving Travel Dates for 2023

Avoid the Wednesday before Thanksgiving at all costs. It is one of the most popular days of the year to fly, and it is expensive. Additionally, airports are always packed, so it is an extra stressful experience.

Avoid the Sunday after Thanksgiving for your return flight. Most people fly that day to get home before the workweek. I recommend flying home on Friday or Monday or Tuesday.

Average Holiday Flight Prices for 2023 – Thanksgiving ($300) and Christmas ($400)

With November here, flight prices are increasing for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Expect to pay on average $300 for a roundtrip Flight for Thanksgiving. For Christmas, expect to pay on average $400 for a roundtrip flight.

Those prices will vary by your destination and dates of travel, so we recommend doing your homework before booking. If possible, travel on our recommended days and avoid the worst days.

We’ve found many domestic Thanksgiving and Christmas flights for under $200. We’ve also found various international Thanksgiving and Christmas flights for under $500.

Flexibility is the key to finding the absolute cheapest holiday flights. Use the Google Flights Explore map to find the best flight deals from your home airport or city around Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Travel is Recovering for the 2023 Holiday Season

On most days, hundreds of thousands more travelers are going through TSA checkpoints compared to the same day as last year. For 2023, we expect holiday travel numbers to resemble or surpass 2019, which is the most recent pre-pandemic year.

Further Reading: What to Do if Your Airline Cancels or Delays Your Flight and How to Avoid Airline Flight Delays & Cancellations

Other Tips For Scoring a Cheap Holiday Flight Deal

Check out our guide to finding and booking cheap flights for additional tips. A few of the major tips may not be applicable with holiday travel (being very flexible on dates and destinations), but other guidelines can help. Here are a few of them.

• Do: Start With Google Flights
• Do: Be Open to Different Nearby Departure and Arrival Airports
• Do: Be Open to All Airlines
• Do: Be Open to Flights With Connections
• Don’t: Waste Your Time Clearing Cookies
• Don’t: Waste Your Time Browsing in Incognito

Additionally, our best websites to book cheap flights guide and top airline credit cards tutorial can help you save even more money.

Further Reading: Clearing Cookies or Searching Incognito Does Not Show Cheaper Flight Prices

The best days to fly for Thanksgiving are the Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday before Turkey Day.

The worst day to fly for Thanksgiving is the Wednesday before.

The best days are the Friday, Monday, and Tuesday after Turkey Day. The worst day is the Sunday after Thanksgiving.

It is, but it is not ideal for most people.

It is, but most people do not want to fly home on the day after Thanksgiving.

Book by the middle of September at the latest for the best price, but you should ideally book earlier. Book even earlier for international flights. Do not wait until after Halloween to book.

It depends since Christmas is on a different day each year. Shoot for at least a few days before Christmas Eve.

Avoid the two days before Christmas Eve.

It depends since Christmas is on a different day each year. Shoot for at least a few days after Christmas.

Book by the middle of September for the best price. Book even earlier for international flights. Do not wait until after Thanksgiving to book.

The Vacationer’s Final Thoughts

Ideally, you have already booked your 2023 holiday travel. If you have not done so already, there is still time to get a deal, but you need to move quickly. Shoot for the dates discussed in the article and avoid the bad ones. After the holidays are over, follow our best days of the week to fly and our best day of the week to book flights guides.

By Phil Dengler

In addition to being a co-founder of The Vacationer, Phil Dengler is also the head of editorial and marketing. Previously, he ran a popular holiday deals website where he was a trusted source for all things Black Friday. With The Vacationer, Phil combines his knowledge of deals with his love of travel to help you plan the perfect vacation.

Thanksgiving Travel Survey 2022 — 43%+ to Travel; 66%+ Say Inflation is Affecting Plans; 29% to Spend $501+ on Travel; Cranberry Sauce Most Hated Food

When to Book Thanksgiving Flights – Travel Guide & Tips for 2024

When to Book Christmas Flights – Travel Guide & Tips for 2024

Christmas travel tips: Best and worst days to fly or drive

AAA predicts this holiday season will be the busiest ever for air travel.

Millions of Americans are gearing up to hit the highway and take to the skies ahead of the holidays.

Here's what you need to know before packing your bags:

Holiday travel by air

AAA predicts this holiday season will be the busiest ever for air travel, with 7.5 million people projected to fly from Saturday, Dec. 23 to Monday, Jan. 1. This would break the record high of 7.3 million flyers set during the 2019 holiday season.

Thursday, Dec. 21 and Friday, Dec. 22 are forecast to be the busiest days for departures, according to Hopper.

Domestic airfares are averaging $349 round trip -- a 3% increase from last year, according to Hopper.

MORE: Delta flight carrying 270 diverted to remote Canadian town

The cheapest days to fly will be Dec. 19, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, according to Hopper. The most expensive days are Dec. 22 and Dec. 26.

United Airlines said it expects its busiest-ever holiday travel season, with about 9 million passengers planning to fly from Dec. 21 to Jan. 8. This is a 12% jump from last year.

United said it anticipates Dec. 22 and Dec. 23 will be its busiest days for Christmas travel, while Jan. 2 will be the busiest day for New Year's travel.

Delta Air Lines is preparing for nearly 9 million customers during its holiday travel period, which runs from Dec. 21 to Jan. 7.

Delta said its peak days are expected to be Dec. 21 to Dec. 22 and Dec. 26 to Dec. 30.

Holiday travel by road

MORE: What every motorist needs to know about driving in snow

AAA expects 104 million people to hit the road over the holidays -- a 1.8% increase from last year.

The busiest days are forecast to be Saturday, Dec. 23; Thursday, Dec. 28; and Saturday, Dec. 30, according to transportation analytics company INRIX.

If you're leaving for the holidays on Dec. 23, the best time to head out the door is before 10 a.m., according to INRIX. And if you're heading home the day after Christmas, the roads will be emptiest before noon, INRIX said.

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Best Times to Fly Around Christmas

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Table of Contents

Is Christmas Day a good day to fly?

Pre-christmas travel: the worst days to fly, post-christmas travel: the worst days to fly, the smarter, cheaper departure date when flying for christmas, cards that earn rewards when booking flights.

Most weeks of the year, Fridays are the busiest days to fly, checkpoint data from the Transportation Security Administration shows. And just ahead of Christmas 2023, travelers may face one of the busiest Fridays yet: Friday, Dec. 22.

NerdWallet analyzed the past four years of travel data from the TSA to better understand what travel patterns might look like this December, why the Friday before Christmas will be brutal and to uncover the best days to fly around Christmas.

Yes, Christmas Day is the best day to fly out of all the days in the weeks before and after the holiday — assuming you don’t mind spending part of your holiday in the air.

While airport crowds dramatically increase in the days before and after Christmas, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day crowds are light. Last year, 23.4% more people flew on the day after Christmas compared to the number of people who flew on Christmas Day, which fell on a Sunday.

Not only does flying on the holiday mean fewer crowds, it’s also likely to entail lower prices. Flights departing on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day average 26% lower than peak prices during the Christmas season, according to the 2023 Holiday Travel Outlook from travel booking site Hopper. For a one-way, domestic airfare, the savings amounts to about $114 per ticket, according to Hopper.

If you do travel on Christmas Day, book the first flight out to reduce your risk of delays. In the first half of 2023, 7.8% of flights were delayed because an aircraft arrived late, according to Bureau of Transportation Statistics data. By taking that first flight out, you remove the chance of a previous flight delay snowballing into your flight being delayed, too.

Here were the busiest travel days at U.S. airports in the seven days before Dec. 25 for the past four years:

In 2022, the busiest air travel day leading up to Christmas was Wednesday, Dec. 21. On that day, 2.4 million people passed through TSA security checkpoints, marking the single busiest day in the 7 days ahead of Christmas. The following day, Thursday, Dec. 22, was also busy with 2.3 million air travelers.

This year, though, it’s the Friday before Christmas that could very likely be the worst day to fly in the week ahead of the holiday. In fact, Friday, Dec. 22 is one of the top three busiest days for flights booked in either December 2023 or January 2024, according to air booking data provided to NerdWallet by Chase Travel.

Here are a couple of reasons why Friday, Dec. 22 is set to be so busy:

Friday is a busy travel day, period

For starters, Fridays always trend busy at airports, no matter the season. It’s the same day many business travelers head home while vacationers jet off for the weekend.

In the first eight months of 2022, the average number of travelers at U.S. airports was 20% higher on Fridays than on Tuesdays (the least busy day for air travel, on average).

Friday will be expensive

Fares will be highest for departures on the Friday before Christmas, as travelers look to make a long weekend out of the holiday, according to the 2023 Holiday Travel Outlook from travel booking site Hopper.

When averaged over the past four years, Dec. 27 has historically been the busiest day to fly in the seven days after Christmas. Dec. 30 has also historically been busy, as some travelers fly home from Christmas festivities while others head out for a New Year’s celebration. According to Chase Travel data, Saturday, Dec. 30 joins Friday, Dec. 22 on the podium of busiest travel days across December 2023 and January 2024 (the other day is Saturday, Dec. 23).

As far as most expensive? This year, Tuesday, Dec. 26 is the most expensive day to return in the week after Christmas, according to Hopper.

During the week of Christmas, the standard rules around the best (and worst) days to fly don’t necessarily apply, and shifting your itinerary by just a couple of days can drastically change the price you pay for holiday travel .

If you work a standard Monday-Friday work week, then jetting off after work on Friday, Dec. 22, might make the most sense. That’s the schedule most people are likely to follow, and if you join in, you’ll pay — both in terms of airport crowds and in literal price.

But if you can be a bit flexible, avoid the Friday departure and try:

Flying earlier in the week: Crowds ease up the farther away from Christmas you get, so — if you can work remotely or afford to take days off — do it. While crowds will likely be high in the days ahead of Christmas, they’ll likely be lighter on the Monday and Tuesday before.

Traveling on Christmas Eve: If it’s important that you’re at your destination by Christmas morning, then leaving on Christmas Eve is your best move. While crowds are heavier than Christmas Day, Christmas Eve is typically the least-crowded day of the seven days ahead of the holiday.

Skipping holiday travel completely: Consider shifting your celebration by a couple of days or weeks. January and February tend to be the cheapest months to fly, so you might want to wait to visit family and friends until then.

Regardless of which day you decide to fly, using a credit card that earns extra rewards can be a smart money move. Here's a selection of cards that offer flight booking perks:

on Chase's website

on American Express' website

on Citibank's application

• 5 points per dollar spent on travel (including flights) booked through Chase.

• 2 points per dollar on other travel (including flights).

Annual fee: $95 .

• 5 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel (on up to $500K per calendar year). Terms apply.

Annual fee: $695 .

• 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com. Terms apply.

Annual fee: $250 .

• 3 points per dollar spent on air travel.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2023 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee:   Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards:  Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card  

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

75,000 Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's over $900 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1.5%-5% Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

Up to $300 Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!

on Capital One's website

2x-5x Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day. Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options.

75,000 Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

These Are the Busiest Travel Days of the Year, According to TSA

The holidays and holiday weekends often bring with them some of the most congested days at the country’s airports and on the roads..

• Copy Link copied

The Tuesday and Wednesday just before Thanksgiving and the Sunday after Thanksgiving are often among the busiest travel days of the year.

Photo by Jim Lambert / Shutterstock

Every year, millions of people embark on journeys, whether for business or leisure. After a few years of much less crowded airports due to the pandemic, the International Air Transport Association is reporting that passenger numbers are just about what they were prepandemic levels.

However, there have already been a number of days that have surpassed prepandemic levels and they’ve largely fallen right before or after holidays.

Take Independence Day, for example. In 2023, AAA projected that 4.17 million people flew over the July Fourth holiday period, surpassing the previous air travel record of 3.91 million travelers, set in 2019. Similarly, TSA screened a record number of passengers on the Sunday following Thanksgiving in 2022, with more than 2.56 million passengers.

According to the TSA, the busiest travel days of the year are usually the Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving and the Sunday after Thanksgiving . TSA recorded its highest passenger screening volume in its history on the Sunday after Thanksgiving in 2019, when nearly 2.9 million passengers passed through TSA checkpoints. But Thanksgiving and Christmas aren’t the only times we can expect busy airports. Here are the busiest travel day of the year.

Busiest travel days of the year

Thanksgiving and Christmas tend to be the busiest travel days of the year, but other holidays like Memorial Day, July Fourth, and Labor Day also see some of the highest volumes of air passengers.

So far this year, daily passenger numbers have been growing each month. In all of 2022, only one day had more than 2.5 million air passengers in the United States: November 27 (the Sunday after Thanksgiving), with 2.560 million. As of August 20, 2023, there had already been more than 75 days in the calendar year that had surpassed 2.5 million air passengers, according to TSA checkpoint data .

These have been the five busiest travel days in the last full year:

• July 30: 2.793 million passengers
• July 28: 2.785 million passengers
• July 23: 2.789 million passengers
• June 30: 2.884 million passengers (the new record for the busiest air travel day ever in the United States)
• June 16: 2.785 million passengers

For reference, the busiest travel day in all of 2019 was November 27, with 2.882 million passengers.

The busiest travel days around Christmas and New Year’s, historically

As for Christmas and New Year’s Eve, the number of travelers is likely to ramp up during the end of December and into early January as well. In 2019, the highest number of travelers during the Christmas and New Year period was on Friday, December 17 (one week before Christmas), when 2.6 million travelers passed through TSA checkpoints. The second busiest day was Christmas Eve, with 2.58 million travelers, followed by the day after Christmas with 2.57 million travelers.

New York City consistently ranks as one of the top domestic travel destinations for the holidays.

Photo by Elias Andres Jose/Unsplash

Tips for flying during the busiest times of the year

There are a few ways to make travel easier and clear busy TSA checkpoints more quickly, this holiday season.

Get TSA PreCheck, Clear, and/or Global Entry

Never have these security expediting services been more valuable than during the current congestion happening at U.S. airports. TSA PreCheck recently reduced its prices from $85 to $78 for a five-year membership, and it’s only $70 to renew . Clear costs $189 per year. International travelers should consider the $100 Global Entry, which includes TSA PreCheck, for expedited customs screening upon arrival in the United States—and there’s a secret way to speed up the application process .

Check to see if your airport has a fast-pass security lane you can book in advance—for free

No TSA PreCheck or Clear? Select U.S. airports are giving travelers the option to make an advance “fast pass” reservation to head to the front of the security line—free of charge. We’ve compiled the full list of airports that offer this service .

Consider traveling with carry-on only

For those who don’t want to risk their luggage getting lost during a busy travel time when airports remain understaffed, traveling with carry-on may be your best bet. Another alternative? Luggage-shipping services .

Know what you can bring through security

If you’re traveling with carry-on, know what you can and cannot pack in said carry-on. By now, you know you can only carry on liquids in containers 3.4 ounces or smaller, so be sure that holiday items such as gravy, cranberry sauce, or wine are either left behind or packed in a checked bag as they are considered liquids and could otherwise be confiscated (and create delays). Check AFAR’s in-depth guide to what foods you can bring through TSA to make sure that what you’ve packed in your carry-on can pass through security.

Thoroughly check your bags before leaving the house

TSA recommends that travelers fully empty their bags prior to packing to make sure that they don’t accidentally bring something to the airport that they didn’t intend to bring, which could cause further delays.

Monitor the weather

Check the weather and forecasts that are available on sites such as the National Weather Service , the Weather Channel , and AccuWeather so that you can be prepared for possible disruptions and establish back-up plans for delayed travel.

Get to the airport earlier than you’d think

The lines and wait times at the country’s airports (and abroad, too) are longer than they’ve been in years. Best to arrive early and have some extra time postsecurity than risk missing your flight waiting in an hours-long check-in or security line. Aim for at least two hours before domestic flights and at least three for international flights.

Know if and when you are due a refund because of a delayed or canceled flight

On September 1, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) launched a new Aviation Consumer Protection website to help travelers track down what kind of refunds or compensation their airline should provide when there is a cancellation or delay.

Airlines aren’t required to compensate passengers when flights are delayed or canceled due to problems deemed beyond the company’s control, like bad weather. They also aren’t required to provide a refund when the passenger initiates the cancellation or flight change. But a refund is required by U.S. law when the airline cancels, delays, or alters a flight, or passengers are involuntarily bumped from a flight that is oversold or due to issues originating from the airline, such as operational or staffing problems.

Additionally, after the federal government began cracking down on airlines this year, all of the major U.S. airlines vowed to provide meal vouchers for delays of more than three hours and to provide transfers and hotel stays to passengers affected by an overnight cancellation. They have all also agreed to rebook travelers on an alternate flight at no added cost due to a delay or cancellation and most will also rebook on a partner airline.

This article originally appeared online in 2018; it was most recently updated in August 2023 to include current information.

• Blacklane Blog

Christmas Traffic: Best and Worst Times to Travel

Estimated reading time: 9 minutes

Plan your holiday journey wisely with insights on Christmas traffic – discover the best and worst times to travel for a stress-free festive season.

The holiday season is a time of joy and celebration, but it can also be a time of stress and frustration when it comes to travel. Whether you are flying, driving, or taking a train, you may face challenges such as crowded airports, Christmas traffic, or bad weather. How can you avoid these pitfalls and enjoy your holiday trip? The answer is simple: plan ahead. In this holiday travel guide, we will share with you some tips and insights on how to travel smartly and safely during the Christmas season. You will learn how to choose the best time to travel, how to pack efficiently, how to deal with potential problems, and more.

Table of Contents

The worst time to travel during the christmas and new year holiday, us cities with the worst holiday traffic, best days to travel for christmas and new year holidays, how to prepare for holiday travel, preventing new year’s eve accidents, the best way to deal with christmas traffic, what is the best time to travel on christmas eve, when is christmas traffic the worst, when does christmas traffic start, what is the best time to travel between christmas and new year’s, how to avoid christmas traffic, is traffic bad the day after christmas, is christmas day busy at airports, which two days before christmas day are usually the least crowded at airports.

If you are planning to travel by car during the Christmas and New Year holidays, you might want to avoid some of the worst times to hit the road. According to Inrix , a global leader in transportation analytics, the worst times to travel during the Christmas holiday are usually two days before Christmas and two days after. To avoid the Christmas traffic, it’s best to stay away from these days if you can. Specifically, traffic tends to be the worst in the late afternoon and early evening on Thursday and Friday leading up to Christmas, especially in big cities.

On the bright side, Christmas traffic will be much lighter than Thanksgiving , which is one of the busiest travel days of the year. This is because the Christmas travel period is longer and more spread out, while Thanksgiving travel is concentrated in a few days. Additionally, it’s worth noting that, according to data from the United States Department of Transportation , road traffic still hasn’t returned to pre-COVID levels.

To help you plan your trip, we have researched recent years’ data and identified the following dates as the most problematic for traveling this year:

• Friday, December 22, 2023
• Saturday, December 23, 2023
• Tuesday, December 26, 2023
• Wednesday, December 27, 2023
• Thursday, December 28, 2023

Aside from the busiest travel days of the year, knowing the congested areas can help you smoothly navigate through the holiday rush. According to Inrix, Christmas traffic is expected to be especially heavy in major cities like Chicago, Seattle, and New York City. To avoid the worst congestion, here are the areas and times you should steer clear of during this festive season:

New York City

• December 27, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
• 358% above normal on Interstate 278 South from Interstate 495 to 3rd Avenue.
• December 27, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
• 270% above normal on Interstate 95 South from Interstate 395 to Virginia State Route 123.
• December 23, 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.
• 240% above normal on Interstate 290 West from Morgan Street to Wolf Road.
• December 28, 4:45 to 6:45 p.m.
• 215% above normal on Interstate 5 South from Washington State Route 18 to Washington State Route 7.
• December 23, 9:45 to 11:45 a.m.
• 209% above normal on U.S. Route 23 North from 8 Mile Road to Interstate 96.
• January 2, 3:45 to 5:45 p.m.
• 198% above normal on Interstate 85 South from Clairmont Road to Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.
• January 2, 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
• 195% above normal on Interstate 10 West from Sjolander to Texas State Highway Spur 330.

Los Angeles

• January 2, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
• 194% above normal on Interstate 405 South from Sunset Boulevard to Interstate 105.
• December 23, 1:45 to 3:45 p.m.
• 155% above normal on Interstate 93 North from Quincy Market to Route 28.

San Francisco

• December 23, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
• 166% above normal on Interstate 80 North from Interstate 580 to San Pablo Dam Road.

For smooth and affordable travel during the holiday season, we recommend these dates for your trip, based on the traffic and flight price trends we have analyzed:

• Monday, Dec. 18, 2023
• Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023
• Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023
• Sunday, Dec. 24, 2023
• Monday, Dec. 25, 2023

If you’re hitting the roads on these dates, it’s best to start your holiday journey early, before 7 a.m. or after the morning rush between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m., regardless of the day you plan to leave. You might also want to explore alternative routes to avoid major city traffic during peak holiday travel times. If your schedule allows, consider leaving on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, when there are typically fewer cars on the road. This can make your travel experience more relaxed.

Additionally, we recommend planning your return from holiday travels on these days to ensure you’re back home before New Year’s:

• Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023
• Friday, Dec. 29, 2023

Returning on these dates can help you avoid the rush and ensure a smoother journey as you head back home.

Once you’ve figured out the best days to travel, it’s crucial to ensure you’re well-prepared, especially if you’re traveling by car. Take these steps to avoid any unexpected issues and make your trip smoother:

Vehicle Check-Up

• Get an oil change and have a certified mechanic inspect your vehicle thoroughly.
• Check the battery, fluid levels, lights, windshield wipers, brakes, belts, and hoses.
• Ensure tires are in good condition and consider the appropriate seasonal adjustments, such as putting on winter tires or chains when necessary.

Preparation the Night Before

• Load up your car the night before departure.
• Pack enough snacks and water for the trip.
• Don’t forget to bring a spare cell phone charger.

Emergency Preparedness

• Pack a roadside emergency kit with essentials like jumper cables.
• Ensure your spare tire and jack are in good working order.

Roadside Assistance

Consider signing up for services like AAA or other roadside assistance policies. This ensures you have someone to call for help if needed.

Weather Monitoring

• Stay informed about changing weather conditions.
• Be aware of potential delays and road closures, especially due to snowstorms.

As New Year’s Day approaches, it’s crucial to recognize the risks of drunk driving during the festive season. Data reveals that drunk drivers account for 40% of fatal car crashes between Christmas and New Year’s, especially with the extra volatility of the weather conditions during this period. This spike is likely due to holiday parties, as many people are off work and school. The combination of late-night celebrations and alcohol consumption can lead to hazardous conditions, including reduced vision, delayed reactions, poor judgment, and loss of control.

If you’re planning to partake in the festivities and anticipate enjoying some drinks, it’s essential to plan ahead and prioritize safety. One way to do this is by securing the services of a professional chauffeur, ensuring the safety of everyone involved. Leave the transportation to Blacklane , your trusted partner for hassle-free and smooth travel experiences. With our chauffeured services, you can enjoy the convenience of immediate booking, arriving in style, and traveling in comfort, all while relying on our top-quality service.

We’ve shared some useful planning tips on dealing with Christmas traffic. If you want to make your Christmas and New Year travels even more relaxing and comfortable, why not book a ride with Blacklane? Blacklane is the ultimate choice for hassle-free transportation, whether you’re going to a family gathering, a holiday party, or a winter getaway. You can choose from our range of high-quality vehicles, including sedans, SUVs, and vans, to suit your needs and preferences. All our rides are carbon offset , ensuring a responsible choice for your footprint. Simply select the best time for you, and let our professional chauffeurs take care of the rest. Worried about changes? No problem. You can easily modify or cancel any pre-booked ride for free up to 1 hour before your scheduled ride. 

For an even more seamless travel experience, consider replacing your short-haul flight with our City to City rides . Say goodbye to the stress of mass transit, and hello to the simplicity of chauffeured rides. With door-to-door service, you can skip the lines and avoid the hassle of switching between modes of transportation. Experience the comfort of a private journey, tailored to your schedule and preferences, making every mile of your trip as enjoyable as the destination itself. 

FAQs about Christmas Traffic

For Christmas Eve travel, the best time to hit the roads is from Monday, December 18, to December 25. Aim to start your journey early, before 7 a.m. or after the morning rush between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m., regardless of the day you plan to leave.

The worst times to travel during the Christmas holiday are usually two days before Christmas and two days after.

Christmas traffic usually starts to increase in mid-December, as people begin to travel for shopping, visiting, or vacationing. 

Generally, it is advisable to avoid the days and times when most people are returning from their holiday trips, such as December 26, 27, and 28, and January 1 and 2. 

To dodge Christmas traffic, plan ahead by checking traffic conditions, weather, and road closures. Opt for less congested routes, alternative transportation, or off-peak departure times. Stay flexible, be patient, and have a backup plan for unexpected delays or emergencies.

Traffic can be bad the day after Christmas, especially in the morning and afternoon, as many people return from their holiday trips or take advantage of post-Christmas sales. 

Christmas Day is usually not very busy at airports, as most people prefer to travel before or after the holiday. 

The two days before Christmas Day that are usually the least crowded at airports are December 23 and 24, as most people try to avoid traveling on these days. 

Ellie Smith

Ellie is an avid traveler, writer, and adventurer, with a passion for exploring the world and sharing her experiences through storytelling. Working for global chauffeur company Blacklane and having lived in cities like Dubai and Berlin, she has gained valuable first-hand experience in uncovering hidden gems worldwide.

After signing up for the newsletter, you will also receive occasional news stories and promotions from Blacklane via email. We will not sell or distribute your email address to any third party at any time. View our Privacy Policy.

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These Are the Busiest Days for Holiday Travel This Year

By Jessica Puckett

It's the most wonderful time of the year—well, everywhere but at the airport.

Chaotic holiday travel is rapidly descending upon us, and if the record-breaking 26 million travelers that took to the sky during Thanksgiving week this year are any indication, it's time to calculate a game plan for navigating airport terminals, securing your overhead bin space , and getting through the crush of humanity in the security line. The best way to do that? Know the busiest travel days in advance.

While some holiday travel patterns can be quite consistent, some of this year's peak travel days have shifted, given that December 25 falls on a Wednesday.

No matter what days you plan to fly during the holiday rush, follow the standard advice of arriving at the airport earlier than usual (at least two hours before departure for a domestic flight, especially if you are checking bags). Another way to streamline your holiday airport experience: remove any food from carry-ons along with standard items like toiletries and laptops to help the Travel Security Administration officers get a clearer look at your bag, which will keep you moving to the gate faster.

And of course, enrolling in known traveler programs like TSA PreCheck or Clear is especially valuable during the peak holiday season, as you'll be able to take fewer items out of your bag and zoom by some of the worst security wait times. (P.S., Clear doesn't require an appointment like TSA PreCheck, so you can breeze through enrollment in about five minutes at the airport.)

Here are all the days to avoid travel, some key statistics, and the best days to avoid airport pandemonium and keep your holiday cheer in tact.

The busiest days for Christmas air travel

Unsurprisingly, passenger records continue to be broken during Christmas travel, the TSA says. The agency estimated last year that during the peak Christmas and New Year's travel days (between December 19 and January 5 for 2018), about 41 million passengers traveled through security screening checkpoints nationwide, a year-over-year increase of 6 percent.

In 2019, that number is set to jump another 3 percent year-over-year, according to industry group Airlines for America . The organization predicts that 47.5 million passengers will fly on U.S. airlines over the 18-day winter holiday travel period from December 19 through January 5. Divided into daily averages, about 2.2 million to 3 million passengers will fly each day over the holiday window, or an extra 72,000 travelers per day. Fortunately, U.S. airlines are meeting the increased demand with 884 added flights each day.

It seems that this year, most air passengers want to take a long Christmas and New Year's break, with the large majority of people expected to fly the Saturday before Christmas. Kayak, AAA, and Expedia all expect Saturday, December 21, to be the busiest travel day leading up to Christmas. Likewise, Airlines for America says December 20 and 21 will be the most popular days for travelers to start their Christmas trips. The estimates vary a bit on what the second most popular day before Christmas will be. Kayak says that Friday, December 20, will be the second largest wave of travelers leading up to the 25th—about 24,797 flights are scheduled to take off across the U.S. that day, according to aviation data firm OAG—while AAA predicts December 22 and 23 will see more fliers en masse.

As for return flights after New Year's? TripAdvisor says 44 percent of travelers are heading home Wednesday, December 30 or later. Expect the bulk of people to swarm the security lines and airport gates on Saturday, January 4, according to Kayak.

The busiest days for Christmas ground travel

TripAdvisor calculates that at least 46 percent of holiday travelers will drive to their Christmas destinations this year. "104.8 million Americans, the most on record, will drive to their holiday destinations," AAA says . "This marks the eighth straight year of new record-high travel volumes for the year-end holidays,” says Paula Twidale, vice president of AAA Travel.

The good news for drivers is that because Christmas falls in the middle of the week this year, AAA, along with traffic analytics company Inrix, predicts only "marginal" and even "lighter than normal" congestion on roads nationwide as travelers cruise to destinations before the holiday.

It's right after Christmas—on December 26 and 27—when drivers will be slammed with traffic and delays. "Nationally, drivers could experience double the travel times on Thursday and Friday afternoon, although New York City and Washington, D.C. could see triple the delays," the AAA report says. So if you are driving, it's probably best to wait until at least December 28 or later to start your journey back.

This story was originally published on November 2019, and has been updated with new information.

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These Will Be the Busiest Travel Days of the 2021 Holiday Season

As many Americans continue to work from home, the holiday travel schedule is going to look a little different this year.

Editor's Note: Those who choose to travel are strongly encouraged to check local government restrictions, rules, and safety measures related to COVID-19 and take personal comfort levels and health conditions into consideration before departure.

While the travel industry is certainly rebounding from its lowest point during the pandemic, things are getting a little dicey with all the COVID-19 variants out there. This summer, it seemed as if travel was almost back to normal, but with new restrictions in place both at home and abroad, it's possible that the numbers of travelers hitting the road (or the skies) might slow down a little bit once again as we head into the holiday season. But many travelers are determined to continue with their vacations. According to a survey of more than 5,000 travelers by vacation rental site Evolve, 32 percent of travelers are not factoring the Delta variant into their travel plans at all, and of the travelers who are, 46.5 percent won't consider canceling their plans because of it "until much closer to the trip dates." If you're planning on traveling for the holidays this year, here's what you can expect.

How Holiday Travel Will Be Different in 2021

Despite numbers still being a bit lower than they were before the pandemic, demand is rebounding, especially regarding air travel. "We're already seeing significant momentum around international and domestic flight searches when compared to 2020, up 155 percent and 212 percent, respectively," says Matt Clarke, the VP of marketing at online travel agency, Kayak. "When compared to 2019, however, both international and domestic flight searches are down, 52 percent and 43 percent, respectively."

But unlike in the pre-pandemic era, when Americans would book holiday flights weeks if not months in advance, Clarke suspects folks are sitting tight as they monitor travel restrictions, waiting until the holidays approach to purchase tickets. "The trend for last-minute bookings is strong," he says.

This wait-and-see mentality is especially true for international travel, and for good reason; Europe just designated the U.S. a high-risk country, prompting some countries like the Netherlands to reinstate quarantines for American travelers . It remains to be seen if those restrictions will be lifted in time for Christmas, a traditionally popular period for overseas travel.

As such, you can expect a surge in domestic travel in the coming months — something Kayak has already seen in the car rental industry. "The demand for car rentals in the U.S. this holiday season is already up 229 percent compared to 2019 and up 244 percent compared to 2020, an indicator that we could experience another car rental shortage this holiday season as we're seeing an increase in those searching further in advance for car rentals than years prior," says Clarke.

Most Popular Travel Days for Thanksgiving in 2021

Interestingly, the busiest travel days didn't change between 2019 and 2020. According to Priceline data, the most popular departure date for Thanksgiving weekend in 2019 and 2020 was the preceding Wednesday, with most travelers returning the following Sunday in both years. The only difference was the number of travelers: In 2019, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), logged 2.6 million travelers passing through security checkpoints at airports that Wednesday, while in 2020, it only logged one million passengers that same day.

But as of September 9, 2021, this year is looking different. Priceline reports that the busiest travel day for the Thanksgiving holiday is Monday, November 15, while the Wednesday before Thanksgiving is the second busiest. It's likely that after 18 months of remote work, Americans are finally getting accustomed to the idea of working from anywhere, allowing them to travel more freely.

Most Popular Travel Days for Christmas in 2021

Winter holiday travel is slightly more complicated, as the popular travel days are dictated by the day of the week on which Christmas falls. Most often, December 23 is the busiest travel day preceding Christmas, while on the other side of the holiday, the Sunday after Christmas is the busiest travel day. According to Kayak data, that trend held in 2020, but in 2021, those dates are changing slightly. As of September 9, 2021, the most popular travel day before Christmas is Wednesday, December 22, and the most popular travel day after Christmas is Tuesday, December 28. Again, travelers are likely taking advantage of work-from-home policies to travel more flexibly.

When to Book Holiday Travel in 2021

Though some travelers might be hesitant to book travel early given the uncertainty regarding the COVID-19 variants, experts suggest taking advantage of the flexible cancellation policies offered by travel companies, as prices are only going to rise as the holidays approach.

Stefanie Waldek is a freelance space, travel, and design journalist. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter at @stefaniewaldek.

Related Articles

Christmas travel: The best and worst times to drive to avoid traffic this holiday season

With the holiday season in full swing, people may be worried whether they'll get stuck in bad traffic this year during Christmas and New Year's Day.

Unfortunately, the answer is yes, as holiday travel is rebounding since the pandemic. Across the country, people can expect drives up to 25% longer than usual .

All modes of transportation will see an increase in travelers this holiday season, with about 112.7 million people estimated to travel farther than 50 miles this year between Dec. 23 and Jan. 2 – 3.6 million more than last year, according to AAA. Of those, about 102 million will be driving. 

Drivers should expect delays when driving through major metropolitan areas, according to Bob Pishue, a transportation analyst at INRIX.

"In summary, the best times to travel are before the afternoon commute sets in at about 2 p.m.," he told USA TODAY in an email. "We expect the busiest days to be Dec. 23, 27, and 28, along with Jan. 2."

Learn more: Best travel insurance

For those who are driving for their holiday plans, here's what to know:

USA TODAY analysis:  Here are the 10 airports with the most flight cancellations around the holidays

Holiday packing: How to maximize space in your suitcase for travel

When is the worst time to leave for holiday travel?

The afternoon to early evening, aka peak commuting hours, are going to have the worst traffic as travelers mesh with work commuters on the road, according to INRIX.

Generally, try to avoid driving between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.

• On Dec. 23, the worst traffic tie will be between 4 and 7 p.m.
• On the day after Christmas, the worst traffic will be between 2 and 6 p.m.
• For the day after New Year's Day, bad traffic is predicted to be between 4 and 7 p.m.

When is the best time to leave for holiday travel?

The days around Christmas and New Year's predicted to have the least traffic are Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.

If traveling on those days isn't feasible, try to head out early or in the evening following the after-work commute, Pishue advised.

Generally, the best times to travel are before 2 p.m. and after 8 p.m.

On Christmas Eve, though, INRIX recommended that people travel before 11 a.m. and after 7 p.m. The day after Christmas, people should be on the road before noon and then after 7 p.m. For the day after New Year's Day, travel before 3 p.m. and after 8 p.m. 

How will weather impact holiday traffic?

Poor weather may cause further delays, so keep an eye on the forecast and plan accordingly, Pishue said.

"Many remember the I-95 backup in Virginia , which left some drivers delayed on the freeway overnight, caused by a massive snow and ice storm," he said. "While we can’t predict these, or when mountain passes and other roads close due to weather, it is important that travelers get the latest information on road closures and delays before taking their trip."

Worst travel times in major US cities

Drivers going through big cities such as Los Angeles and New York City should prepare for twice the usual traffic delays.

• Worst corridor: I-75 North, GA-17 to I-675.
• Worst day: Monday, Jan. 2.
• Worst time: 5:15-6:15 p.m.
• Peak travel time increase: 65%.
• Worst corridor: I-290 West, Mannheim Road to Paulina Street.
• Worst day: Tuesday, Dec. 27.
• Worst time: 4:45.-6:45 p.m.
• Peak travel time increase: 75%.

Los Angeles

• Worst corridor: I-5 South, Colorado Street to Florence Avenue.
• Worst time: 5:30-7:30 p.m.
• Peak travel time increase: 95%.
• Worst corridor: I-278 West, I-495 to 6th Avenue.
• Worst time: 3:45-5:45 p.m.
• Peak travel time increase: 112%.
• Worst corridor: I-95 South, MD-212 to Central Avenue.
• Worst time: 9:30-11:30 a.m.
• Peak travel time increase: 68%.

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The 12 Best and Worst Days to Travel This Holiday Season

Shannon McMahon

Editor Shannon McMahon is always planning her next trip and often writing in her travel journal. Follow her on Twitter @shanmcmahon_ and on Instagram @shanmcmahon .

Shannon joined SmarterTravel in 2015. A former news reporter, she's lived in the south of Spain, spotted elephants in Sri Lanka, gone spelunking in the Caribbean, hiked Jordan's Petra Basin, interviewed Sao Paulo's Michelin-Star chefs, and explored China via bullet train. Travel trends, news oddities, and her visits to up-and-coming destinations are some of her favorite things to write about.

Her stories have also appeared online on USA Today, The Sun, Huffington Post, Business Insider, blog.TripAdvisor.com, Boston.com, and more. Her educational background is in journalism, art history, gender studies, Spanish, and film. She's been quoted as an expert travel source by CNBC, People.com, MarketWatch, The Washington Post, USA Today, and more.

The Handy Item I Always Pack : "Plenty of extra thick hair elastics. They tame my frizzy curls and come in handy in a surprising number of packing and hotel dilemmas."

Ultimate Bucket List Experience : "Climbing (yes, climbing, it's steep!) the Great Wall of China before it's gone."

Travel Motto : "Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness." - Mark Twain

Aisle, Window, or Middle Seat : "Window, of course."

Email Shannon at [email protected] .

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There’s no place like home for the holidays—if you can get there. Booking your holiday travel plans ( if you haven’t already , of course) can get expensive, and the trip itself can be stressful thanks to crowds of fellow holiday travelers. Airfare tends to be more expensive at this time of year, which means you can forget whatever fares you typically pay to fly home (or away) during other parts of the year.  But there’s hope on both fronts if you’re willing to book strategically.

When we talk about the “best” fares for holiday travel, that designation is relative to already-inflated high-season prices. But there are some significantly cheaper times to fly during a holiday week or weekend. These cheaper times to fly are typically on the less-popular travel days, which means you’ll also be more likely have a lower-stress airport experience.

How do you figure out which are the cheapest and least crowded dates around the holidays to fly? There are, thankfully, some predictive travel insights that suggest the busiest travel days of the year—and by comparison which holiday travel dates are going to be more affordable. Based on the days of the week that the holidays fall on this year and holiday-season airfare data from Hipmunk , here are the dates you’ll want to avoid to steer clear of packed planes and sky-high airfare.

Best and Worst Days for Thanksgiving Travel 2019

Thanksgiving has consistent travel trends due to the fact that it’s always on a Thursday, and most non-retail and non-food service businesses close both for the holiday and on the Friday after, as do schools. This means that most people are locked into certain travel dates: Schools may be closed the day after Thanksgiving, but many are still in session the day before, forcing parents to travel on Wednesday afternoon.

The day before Thanksgiving is typically the busiest travel day of the year. Historical data from Skyscanner confirms this to be typical of most Thanksgiving seasons.

Long story short, the “best” Thanksgiving travel days are limited and depend heavily on your ability to be flexible, which isn’t always an option, especially if you’ve got kids in school.

Best Thanksgiving Travel Day

• Monday, November 25

Data from Hipmunk shows that the Monday before Thanksgiving once again offers the best fares. You’re also likely to find smaller crowds—about half as many people travel on Monday compared to later in the week (see the table below for more). You’ll also have a few spare days in case winter weather interferes with your flight.

Other Good Thanksgiving Travel Days

• Thursday, November 28 (Thanksgiving)
• Friday, November 29

Traveling on Thanksgiving is typically a great deal, and the reason is obvious: No one wants to fly on the holiday. Most people prefer to be at their destination on Thanksgiving morning, not in transit. But if you can fly out early in the morning, you’ll usually find lower fares and emptier airports, and hopefully arrive in time for an afternoon dinner.

When it comes to traveling home, Friday is typically a solid value as long as you don’t mind a shorter visit. Saturday tends to be busier and more expensive, but still reasonable. Thinking about flying home on Sunday? Beware: Sunday is the busiest travel day of the period.

Busiest Thanksgiving Travel Days to Avoid

• Wednesday, November 27
• Saturday, November 30
• Sunday, December 1

Here’s Hipmunk’s overview of bookings share (the percentage of travelers for the period flying on that day) by Thanksgiving travel day:

Tuesday is when Thanksgiving travel ramps up, leading into what’s usually the busiest travel day of the year on Wednesday. Not only are fares high due to heavy demand, but the sheer number of people traveling means airports and aircraft will be packed. Avoid flying on these days if you can.  

Best and Worst Days for Christmas Travel 2019

Unlike Thanksgiving, which is always on a Thursday, the Christmas travel schedule changes from year to year. This means historical data is less useful in predicting fares and traffic. The timing of the holiday, and how it affects school breaks and other closures, has a major impact on people’s plans.

Christmas is on a Wednesday this year, which is tricky: School schedules will likely vary, but many seem to be closed for the entire week and through New Year’s Day, which is on the following Wednesday. Businesses will obviously vary more greatly, with many probably remaining open on Monday the 23 rd (the start date of Hanukkah this year), Thursday the 26th (which marks the start of Kwanzaa), and Friday the 27th. These, then, would be the perfect dates to use your leftover vacation days in order to travel with smaller crowds.

Busiest Christmas Travel Days for 2019

With a midweek Christmas this year, there are no obvious “worst” dates between the weekend peaks. According to Hipmunk, the cheapest median domestic round-trip airfare, at $247, was leaving Christmas Day, December 25, and returning the next day. Next best was a big jump up, to $322 for Tuesday through Friday, followed by Christmas Day to Sunday, at $335. On the other end of the spectrum, the most expensive round-trips were Sunday to Sunday, at $507; and Saturday to Friday, at $491. Hipmunk did not extend its coverage to the following New Year’s week, but presumably fares are high on the Sunday following Christmas. Here are the slowest and busiest travel days of the period according to the data:

The conventional take-aways here are again confirmed for major holidays:

• The lowest fares usually involve traveling on the holiday itself—an obvious case, because those are the days travelers want to already be where they’re going.
• The highest fares usually involve returning on the Sunday following the holiday—given that most people want to maximize their vacation time.

Fare differentials for other dates generally cluster in a narrow range between the maximum dates. Beyond avoiding the worst dates if you can, you’re probably better off timing your trip to maximize convenience rather than shaving a few bucks off airfares. But overall, the top three are:

Best Christmas Travel Days 2019

• Tuesday, December 24
• Wednesday, December 25
• Saturday, December 28

Worst Christmas Travel Days 2019

• Saturday, December 21
• Sunday, December 22
• Sunday, December 29

Surprisingly, a Saturday sneaks into the best options for Christmas travel this year, thanks to the stacked weekday options. When it comes to the busiest travel days around Christmas, however, the days between Christmas and New Year’s see the highest volume, which any sane travelers would will want to avoid.

Readers, when are you traveling this year? Comment below.  

Editors’ Note: This story has been updated to reflect the most current information. SmarterTravel’s Carl Unger and Ed Perkins also contributed to this story.  

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News & features, winter center, news / weather news, best and worst days, times to travel during the christmas holiday.

By Chaffin Mitchell , AccuWeather staff writer

The holidays are one of the busiest times for travel and this year Americans are traveling in record numbers.

AAA forecasts 107.3 million Americans will take to planes, trains, automobiles and other modes of transportation during the year-end holiday period from Saturday, Dec. 23, through Monday, Jan. 1. This will be the highest year-end travel volume on record, with a 3.1 percent increase in travel volume compared to last year. Since 2005, total year-end holiday travel volume has grown by 21.6 million, an increase of more than 25 percent.

(AP Photo/Andreas Beil)

Airfare and hotel rates are trending cheaper, while car rentals and gas rates are more expensive this year.

“More expensive gas prices are not swaying holiday revelers to stay home,” said Bill Sutherland, AAA senior vice president, travel and publishing. For the 97.4 million Americans traveling by automobile, INRIX, a global transportation analytics company, in collaboration with AAA, predicts travel times during the holiday week could be as much as three times longer than the normal trip.

“In fact, across the board this year, travel has increased year-over-year for every major holiday weekend – Memorial Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving – and we project the same for the year-end holiday period. We’ve seen the strong economy and growing consumer confidence fuel holiday travel all year long,” Sutherland said. Late-afternoon hours to cause congestion

Based on historical and recent travel trends, INRIX expects drivers will experience the greatest amount of congestion before the holiday week – on Wednesday, Dec. 20, and Thursday, Dec. 21 – in the late afternoon as commuters leave work early and mix with holiday travelers. “With record-level travelers hitting the road this holiday, drivers must be prepared for delays in major metros,” says Dr. Graham Cookson, chief economist and head of research at INRIX. “Our advice to drivers is to avoid peak times altogether or consider alternative routes,” Cookson said.

It's best to avoid traveling through major cities during peak travel times. The recommended times to leave are typically early morning or after the morning commute because the roads should be less crowded and you will have more time to get to your destination safely.

"With Christmas and New Year's falling on Mondays, we expect traffic congestion between the two to be limited as it will be spread out over the road network," INRIX Spokesperson Mark Burfeind said. If your schedule permits, travel on the holiday because fewer cars will be on the road.

(AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

Factor weather conditions into your travel plans

This time of year, motorists and airline passengers should be aware of potential weather delays.

Make sure to check the status of your flight regularly before traveling to the airport.

"Travelers should plan to arrive at the airport at least two hours prior to the scheduled departure of their flight. It may be necessary to arrive even earlier," AAA spokesperson Jeanette Casselano said.

According to Kayak, flights are cheaper on Christmas Day, so flying on the holiday may help to avoid the lines and save money.

If you are driving to your destination, the upcoming mild weather pattern will not last long, so it is also important to factor weather into your travel plans.

"For some areas north of Interstate 80, the mild spell early next week may bring the only multiple-day stretch of above-freezing temperatures through Christmas," according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Eric Leister.

Even colder air is projected to push southward over the Central states late next week then ooze into the Northeast toward the weekend before Christmas Day. The battle zone between colder air plunging across these areas and milder air to the south will create a corridor for storms to travel along .

Before hitting the road, make sure your vehicle is ready for wintry conditions . Monitor tire pressure, test the battery, replace windshield wipers and make sure all headlights and brake lights are in working condition.

In case of an emergency , be prepared by keeping a cell phone and charger with you at all times. Carry an emergency kit with a flashlight, jumper cables, a first-aid kit, sleeping bags, gloves, a battery-powered radio and extra water.

The complete AAA/IHS Markit 2017 year-end holiday travel forecast is available here .

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These are the busiest days to travel this holiday season

2023 has been a record-setting year for air travel, and there's no reason to think the end-of-year holidays will be any different.

After logging its busiest summer ever at U.S. airport security checkpoints, the Transportation Security Administration saw more passengers on Nov. 26 — the Sunday after Thanksgiving — than on any day in its 22-year history.

And the crowds are just getting started.

AAA expects 7.5 million Americans will fly over the 10-day Christmas and New Year's holiday period. That's a number larger than both last year's holiday airport crowds and those seen in 2019.

At security checkpoints, agents will be working to keep lines moving. Their goal: wait times of 10 minutes or less in the TSA PreCheck lanes and a half-hour or less in the standard lanes.

"We expect this holiday season to be our busiest ever," TSA administrator David Pekoske said in a statement last month.

It was a prediction that the Thanksgiving rush confirmed, and one that tracked with the crowds seen all year. Seven of the 10 busiest days ever at TSA checkpoints have come in 2023. The 2.9 million air travelers seen on Nov. 26 beat out the previous record from June 30, set by Fourth of July weekend travelers.

Suffice it to say, if you're traveling for a December holiday, it's a good time to make sure that your TSA PreCheck, Global Entry or Clear membership is active. Also, make sure your Known Traveler Number is attached to your flight reservation.

Meanwhile, all eyes will be on how airlines perform following 2022's headaches, most notably the Southwest Airlines December meltdown . That meltdown was an operational disaster the airline says it will avoid this year thanks to a host of changes.

Fortunately, airlines are off to a good start with this year's holiday season. Between Nov. 19 and 26, during peak the peak Thanksgiving period, U.S. based carriers canceled a collective 0.2% of flights, according to FlightAware data analyzed by TPG. That was down slightly from a similarly impressive 0.3% cancellation rate during the equivalent period last year. The rate of delays among those carriers hovered at a consistent 17% from last Thanksgiving.

However, travelers have learned all too well the last couple of years that the end-of-year holiday season can bring a plethora of potential roadblocks, including the possibility of bad weather and the lingering threat of air traffic control-related disruptions.

"Mother Nature is always the x-factor," U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg acknowledged at a news conference last month.

Busiest days to travel at Christmas and New Year's

The TSA anticipates heavy volume throughout the Christmas and New Year's holiday period. However, it may likely come in the form of sustained crowds, as opposed to any single, record-setting days. (In recent years, the busiest day of the year has typically been the Sunday after Thanksgiving, as it was this year.)

Exactly which days will be the busiest days to fly this month? It's a little harder to predict the end-of-year holidays, which fall on a different day of the week each year. Also, recent years have held no shortage of abnormalities, from last December's bad weather and Southwest meltdown to COVID-19 and the omicron variant surge disrupting travel in 2020 and 2021.

Last year, the three busiest days for air travel over the December holidays were as follows, per TSA data:

• Dec. 21, 2022 (a Thursday)
• Dec. 30, 2022 (a Friday)
• Jan. 2, 2023 (a Monday — and a federal holiday following New Year's Day)

This year, Christmas Day and New Year's Day fall on a Monday. It seems a safe bet that airports will be busy leading into the weekends prior to the two holidays, particularly Christmas.

Airlines for America, a trade group for the largest U.S. carriers, says the busiest days will be:

• Thursday, Dec. 21
• Friday, Dec. 22
• Tuesday, Dec. 26
• Wednesday, Dec. 27
• Thursday, Dec. 28
• Friday, Dec. 29

On the other hand, if you can find a way to travel on Christmas Day, you may find ultra-light crowds — if Thanksgiving was any indication, at least. Thanksgiving Day was the second least crowded day of 2023 at U.S. airports, according to TSA data. Likewise, Airlines for America projects Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day will be similarly uncrowded.

What about driving?

As usual, even more Americans will drive than fly for the holidays, although the share of air travelers is up from recent years.

More than 103 million U.S. travelers will take year-end holiday road trips during the 10 days around the end-of-year holidays, according to AAA. That's up nearly 2% from last year.

There's some good news for drivers, too. The national average for a gallon of regular gas currently sits at $3.15, down slightly from this time last year.

That's despite airlines battling cost pressures from jet fuel prices in recent months.

Still, if you are driving for Christmas or New Year's, be sure to pay at the pump with a credit card that offers bonus points or cash back at gas stations . Consider stacking those bonus points with gas rewards programs and other ways to save on gas.

Bottom line

The holiday season is already off to a busy start, and that trend will likely continue this month with Christmas and New Year's travel. With those airport crowds in mind, it's a good time to double-check that you booked your flight and all other trip elements with a credit card that includes travel insurance protections.

As you travel, don't forget to take advantage of those airline fee credits on cards like The Platinum Card® from American Express . Also, don't forget to use an airline credit card for credits on checked bags or travel. This is where you can really offset that annual fee.

Download the MyTSA app so you can check security checkpoint wait times and read up on your rights as an air traveler in the event something goes wrong — including when you're owed a refund.

Related reading:

• Key travel tips you need to know — whether you're a beginner or expert traveler
• The best travel credit cards
• Where to go in 2024: The 16 best places to travel
• 6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
• 8 of the best credit cards for general travel purchases
• 13 must-have items the TPG team can't travel without

Moscow   Travel Guide

Best Times To Visit Moscow

The best time to visit Moscow is April and May, when the temperature creeps into the 50s and 60s, the sun begins to shine for significant portions of the day, and hotel rates have yet to skyrocket into peak ranges. Of course, the golden period is summer, when the city is warm and bustling. But if you want to (slightly) spare yourself from the perpetually expensive rates, try the shoulder seasons in the spring and early fall. Preferably spring, since fall experiences more rainfall and less sunlight. Winters are brutally cold, but this is when you'll get a true glimpse into the Moscow experience (A frost-bitten walk through Red Square seems to intensify the historical significance of this great capital city).

Weather in Moscow

Data sourced from the National Climatic Data Center

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Popular Times to Visit Moscow

Tourism volume is estimated based on in-market destination search query interest from Google and on travel.usnews.com in 2015-2016. Hotel prices are sourced from a sample of U.S. News Best Hotels rates through 2015-2016.

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Try not to stand out as a tourist. ie cameras hanging around your neck. I found the city a perfectly safe place to be and didnt feel unease at all

Only suggestions and sure you will get many more

If you can go to Red Square at night as it is a very atmospheric place to be

For something indoors and a little more enlightening than souvenirs, the Tretyakov Art Gallery is very impressive (closed on Mondays). It has the largest collection of Russian fine art in the world.

Also, the Bolshoi ballet may be performing on one of the nights you are here. Always a treat.

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Moscow Hotels and Places to Stay

• Where can I get initial answers to ANY question?

When is the best time to visit Moscow? | Weather, budget, events by month

• May 10, 2024

Discover when is the best time to visit Moscow. In this blog post, I will talk about weather, budget and other things to know to choose the best time when to go to Moscow for you. I cannot account the times when we went in Moscow. Here are the pros and the cons of each month taking all main criteria into account!

I will first describe the main criteria that will help you choose when to go to Moscow:

• Climate in Moscow: temperatures and weather

Special events in Moscow

• Budget and visa

Then I will talk about each season (go directly to this party if you already have an idea of ​​the desired departure date):

• Advantages and disadvantages month by month

The weather cannot be the only criterion to decide when is the best time to visit Moscow for you. Even if the temperatures drop low, Moscow in December is just magical! This is why I advise to take into account several criteria at the same time. Also remember that it takes at least a month to get the Russian visa.

When to go to Moscow: climate and weather

The seasons are well marked. The mid-season months are not necessarily the best for the weather. However, they are not necessarily to be avoided, because, as we will see later, Moscow is a city that changes all the time and the prices can be more attractive. For example, for a lot of people winter is the best time to visit Moscow.

Weather in Moscow. Moscow is inland, making the city “more protected” from changing weather. For example, the weather is much more changeable in St. Petersburg. On the other hand, the weather in Moscow is more and more scorching in summer, we can then easily reach 30 degrees (for the Russians, it’s already the heat wave).

Moscow temperatures

As soon as you think of Russia, you want to do “Brrrr”. Let’s prepare our down jackets! Indeed, the Russian climate is not the mildest on the planet. However, it all depends on the region, because the country is very large. Moscow is almost at the same latitude as Copenhagen. As Moscow is relatively far from the coast, there is a pronounced continental climate. It is hot in summer and cold in winter.

In addition, global warming is there. For several decades, annual average temperatures have always been recorded above the past. I suggest you look at the averages over the past five years to be as close as possible to reality:

Sunshine and precipitation

Sunshine. This is surprising, but there is more sunshine in Moscow than in Paris or even in Berlin: 1,731 hours in Moscow, compared to 1661 in Paris and 1626 in Berlin.

Duration of the day in winter. We had questions about the length of the day in winter. So, here are a few things. As in Europe, the shortest days are in December. In Moscow, at the end of December, the sun rises around 9 a.m. and sets around 4 p.m. Then the day gets bigger until the end of June, when the day is the longest.

Precipitation. There is more precipitation in Moscow than in Paris (705mm against 637mm).

When is the best time to visit Moscow: interesting events

Moscow is a city that moves a lot. It is even said that this city never sleeps. So there are a lot of events, forums, exhibitions, conferences. Here I’m going to talk about the main recurring events that punctuate the year and that may help you decide when to go to Moscow.

End of year celebrations in Moscow

December 31 rather than Christmas. The Russians are eagerly awaiting the holiday season. Here on December 31 is like Christmas with us. Religion, “opium of the people” according to Marx, and, above all, its official absence marked the country during the Soviet years. This then reinforced the celebration of December 31, while Orthodox Christmas is January 7.

Russian calendar. In addition, it should be known that the first week of January is a bank holiday. Many Russians therefore do not work during this period. Europe also greatly influences the habits of Muscovites. Consequently, the Christmas markets start in early December and, for some, continue until early February!

Fairytale atmosphere. If you are wondering when to go to Moscow and you love the holiday mood, then the end of December – early January, and even February, is for you! There are many things to do during this time: for example, Christmas markets, decorations, winter games, skating rinks. In 2016, Moscow opened the largest ice rink in Europe. In short, the city is doing a lot of entertainment during this period and the general atmosphere is at the top! However, everything comes at a cost. You can see more detail below in the article, month by month.

Find our more in this blog post: Christmas and New Year in Moscow .

Visit Moscow in May

May 1 and 9 are two big festivals in Russia. Both dates are known worldwide. May 9 in Russia is May 8 with us in France. The signature that marks the end of the Second World War. The shift day is explained by … the difference in time zone.

The May 9 holiday is a very important holiday for the Russians. The Soviet human losses amounted to millions. So there are many families who have been directly affected by the war. The first big parade was organized by Stalin on June 24, 1945 in Red Square in Moscow. Later each year the USSR and then Russia organized a parade on May 9. Here is the video of the first parade dating from 1945 in color, then the last – that of 2016.

A disadvantage of the beginning of May. For the planned events, Red Square will not be completely empty. There are always installations for May 9, but also rehearsals. So, to the question “when is the best time to visit Moscow”, I would not say that May is the best one. You can find out more in the article “Moscow in autumn” below.

Throughout the year, the Moscow City Hall organizes free events (festivals, small markets, concerts, etc.) in the Red Square and in the streets of the city center. For example, there are two major interesting events:

• Festival of Lights “Around the World”: in 2019, it was from September 28 to October 4.
• Anniversary of the city of Moscow always celebrated the first weekend of September.

When is the best time to visit Moscow: budget, price seasonality, visa

Most touristy periods. Many travelers come to Moscow from May to October. This is the period when we see the most tourists in Moscow. In addition, many are also those who come at the end of December and at the beginning of January for the New Year. The beginning of May and the first week of January are also strongly requested, in particular by the Russians (school holidays, public holidays).

Accommodation. Hotel rates therefore necessarily increase during these periods of the year. But they do not go so far as to triple. To give an idea, count at least 80 euros in the city center for a double room with breakfast. You can read more about the districts of Moscow in my article: Where to stay in Moscow?

Guides and tours. Also take into account that during these periods it will be more difficult to find a guide at the last moment. It’s best to do it 2-3 months in advance. There will be more waiting or difficulty obtaining tickets during the months of high tourist influx: late December, early January, May, June, July, August.

Visa for Russia. The cost of the visa does not change depending on the month of the year. On the other hand, the deadlines can be longer if you make the request for the high tourist season (from May to October). Allow about a month. Getting the Russian visa is not complicated, there is a procedure to follow.

In Russia, the seasons are divided as follows:

• Fall: September, October, November.
• Winter: December, January, February.
• Spring: March, April, May.
• Summer: June, July, August.

Discover Moscow in autumn: when is the best time to visit Moscow in autumn?

From the beginning of September, we feel that the temperatures begin to drop gradually, especially at night.

Moscow in September

More and more travelers are choosing the month of September to go to Moscow. Because it is not cold yet and there are fewer tourists than in summer. Prices drop slightly, but remain higher than in the lean months of the year. There is also the city’s birthday on the first weekend in September, but also the “Around the World” festival towards the end of the month.

Moscow in October

You are likely to come across the colors of autumn from the beginning of October. The accommodation prices are starting to drop gradually. There is less waiting in the places to visit. Temperatures are not very low: during the day they are generally around +6 degrees. On the other hand, the only negative point can be the cost of plane tickets, if you leave during the French school holidays.

Moscow in November

It’s one of the least calm! Temperatures drop and can approach zero during the day in mid-November. Hotel rates are low, there are few tourists, and therefore less waiting in museums. It’s easier to get tickets for the Kremlin Palace of Armor, which can be very difficult in the summer. Guides also have more availability. So why not go to Moscow in November?

Discover Moscow in winter: when is the best time to visit Moscow in winter?

Winter is a very nice time to go to Moscow, because the Christmas and New Year decorations are installed from the beginning of December and are not removed until the end of February. To learn more about the different activities in winter, read this article: What to do in Moscow in winter? If winter temperatures scare you, check out Moscow in the spring (see below).

Moscow in december

Normally, negative daytime temperatures set in, although the weather can vary significantly from year to year. In general, from mid-December the snow is durable. It is from December 20 that more and more travelers come to Moscow. December 31st is celebrated like Christmas in France. Accommodation rates are higher from mid-December. It’s also more complicated to find a guide at the last moment. Furthermore, as in Europe, the days of December are the shortest of the year. But if you want to mark New Years Day, you will have lots of memories!

Moscow in january

January is also a very festive month. The first week of January is a public holiday in Russia. Besides, it’s also a week of Russian school holidays. There are more people in the streets, museums and everywhere in the city. To find out more about this time of year (Christmas markets, itineraries, etc.), read: Christmas and New Years in Moscow . Prices remain high during this week, but drop from mid-January.

Moscow in February

It’s the second quietest month of the year. In February, winter clearly takes its ease. The temperatures are the lowest, it’s a real winter! The days are longer in February than in December. So we’re enjoying the day more, and with the snow it’s really nice, because the weather in Moscow in February is pretty sunny. Accommodation rates are at their lowest, and the decorations are still there. So, if you are looking for when to go to Moscow, if the cold does not scare you and you appreciate the snowy landscapes, why not consider the month of February?

Discover Moscow in spring: when is the best time to visit Moscow in spring?

Spring is a contrasting period between March, which is still quite cold, and May, when we really feel the arrival of summer.

Moscow in March

The ice and snow begin to melt around mid-March. Winter is coming in March, but spring is not quite there yet. It’s the third quietest month of the year. It is therefore possible to visit the city more quietly. Accommodation prices are low, guides are available. The weather in Moscow in March is milder than in February. In addition, the days are longer, so you can take many walks.

Moscow in April

It is only from mid-April that we begin to feel the beginnings of sunny days. The weather in Moscow in spring and April in particular is getting milder and colder: we can expect +7 during the day. In addition, there are not many travelers yet and we fear to enjoy the places more quietly, but we feel that the start of the tourist season is approaching. Accommodation rates are lower than in May.

Moscow in May

The early May holidays attract many travelers to Moscow. There are also many Russians who come to the capital on public holidays. It is therefore advisable to plan visits in advance to avoid queuing once there. Red Square can be closed or partially closed for rehearsals for the May 9 parade, the same day and one or two days after. More info in: Moscow in May: events, budget, what to do?

Discover Moscow in summer: when is the best time to visit Moscow in summer?

All summer months are great, if you take temperatures into account. The weather in Moscow in summer is quite pleasant. However, in recent years, there have been great heat peaks or heat waves in July (30 degrees during the day).

Moscow in June

From June, you can take long walks in the city’s parks, very numerous and much appreciated by the locals. Boat trips are more enjoyable from June. On the other hand, the prices of accommodation in Moscow are higher than in the lean months. There are also more tourists. Book your hotel, tours and activities in advance.

Moscow in july

July is the hottest month, but we’re not on +40. Moscow is a city inland and therefore there is little fresh air, if it is very hot. We can do lots of walks to discover the city. We have written several complete itineraries so as not to miss anything of Moscow in our special Moscow travel guide. It also contains tips to save time and enjoy the city off the beaten track, as there are so many tourists during this time of year.

Moscow in August

Temperatures are starting to drop gradually, but there are still so many people. In order to be sure of the choice of accommodation, I advise you to book in advance. The same goes for guided tours or entrance tickets to the Kremlin. It’s also a good time to discover the city differently by going to places that are less touristy and more frequented by locals.

When is the best time to go to Moscow? In summary!

The best time to discover Moscow depends on the criteria you want to favor: the weather, the budget, the tranquility of the visits, the special events to be experienced on site.

In summary:

• The peak tourist season in Moscow begins in early May and ends in late September.
• Late December and early January is the best time to experience the holiday mood, but it comes at a cost.
• End of January, February, March, beginning of April, November are the quietest months of the year, when you can visit the city more calmly and on a reduced budget.

So, have you decided when to go to Moscow? 🙂 Do you plan to visit Moscow in spring, summer, autumn or winter?

Travel idea! As in all cases you will get a visa and there is only 4 hours by train between Moscow and Saint Petersburg, why not visit both cities? Read an example of a route here: Moscow to Saint Petersburg in one week.

If you still have doubts, take a look at what you can visit in Moscow in order to choose the best period: Things to do in Moscow in 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 days.

For a great trip to Moscow:

• Visit Moscow and St Petersburg in one week: itinerary
• Where to stay in Moscow?
• Tourist voucher for Russian visa

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Record Travel Expected For Memorial Day 2024: Here's When To Leave GA

G EORGIA — If you’re planning to get out of the Atlanta area for the three-day Memorial Day weekend, knowing when to avoid the busiest times on major routes can make the difference between a stress-free holiday or one the kids will never let you forget.

Some 43.8 million Americans are expected to travel at least 50 miles from home to celebrate Memorial Day in 2024. That's a 4 percent increase from last year, AAA said in its annual Memorial Day travel forecast . Travel this year could approach the record set in 2005, when 44 million people took Memorial Day trips.

Memorial Day, the unofficial start to summer, has always been a big road trip holiday. About 38.4 million people plan to take off in their cars, the highest number for the holiday since AAA began tracking Memorial Day travel in 2000.

Airports are expected to be busier than last year, too, with about 3.51 million people flying to their Memorial Day destinations, 4.8 percent more than last year and 9 percent more than pre-pandemic 2019. Crowds could rival the post 9/11 recovery in 2005, when 3.64 million people flew, AAA said.

“We haven’t seen Memorial Day weekend travel numbers like these in almost 20 years.” Paula Twidale, a senior vice president at AAA Travel, said in a news release. “We’re projecting an additional 1 million travelers this holiday weekend compared to 2019, which not only means we’re exceeding pre-pandemic levels but also signals a very busy summer travel season ahead.”

The number of people taking road trips this year is projected to be 4 percent higher than last year, and 1.9 percent higher than before the pandemic in 2019.

If you’re looking for some fun things around the state to do over the weekend, here are a few suggestions from the DNR on Georgia state parks to visit:

Waterfall Way

• Amicalola Falls, Dawsonville
• Vogel, Blairsville
• Moccasin Creek, Lake Burton
• High Falls, Jackson
• Cloudland Canyon, Rising Fawn
• Tallulah Gorge, Tallulah Falls
• Fort Mountain, Chatsworth

Enjoy stunning vistas from these peaks.

• Black Rock Mountain, Clayton
• F.D. Roosevelt, Pine Mountain
• Panola Mountain, Stockbridge

Presidential Footsteps

Franklin Roosevelt, Jimmy Carter and Jefferson Davis all influenced Georgia.

• Roosevelt’s Little White House, Warm Springs
• F.D. Roosevelt State Park, Pine Mountain
• SAM Shortline Excursion Train, Cordele
• Jefferson Davis Memorial Historic Site, Fitzgerald

Gas prices should be about the same as last year, when the national average for regular gasoline was about $3.57 per gallon. On May 22 in Georgia, regular gasoline is selling for $3.38 a gallon, on average. In the Atlanta area, gas prices were about $3.40 a gallon in suburban counties, and $3.53 in Fulton County.

Pump prices always creep higher as the summer driving season gets underway, and wars in Ukraine and the Middle East could roil the oil market, AAA cautioned.

Travel Times To Avoid

AAA’s transportation data partner, INRIX, says drivers who are leaving on Thursday and Friday should get on the road early to avoid peak commute time. Travelers returning from their getaways on Sunday and Monday should avoid the peak travel afternoon hours.

“Travel times are expected to be 90 percent longer than normal,” Bob Pishue, a transportation analyst at INRIX, said in a news release. He advised road trippers to remain up to date on traffic apps, 511 services and local news stations to avoid sitting in traffic any longer than necessary.

These are the best and worst times to travel by car (all times local):

Thursday, May 23

• Worst time: noon to 6 p.m.
• Best time: before 11 a.m., after 7 p.m.

Friday, May 24

• Worst time: noon to 7 p.m.
• Best time: before 11 a.m., after 8 p.m.

Saturday, May 25

• Worst time: 2-5 p.m.
• Best time: before 1 p.m., after 6 p.m.

Sunday, May 26

• Worst time: 3-7 p.m.
• Best time: before 1 p.m.

Monday, May 27

• Best time: After 7 p.m.

Peak Congestion Times

Here are the peak congestion times for busy metropolitan routes, the estimated travel time and the increase in traffic due to the holiday:

• Atlanta: Atlanta to Savannah via I–16E; 4:45 p.m. Saturday; 5 hours, 14 minutes, 54 percent longer than normal.
• Tampa: Gainesville to Tampa via I-75S; 9 a.m. Sunday; 3 hours, 47 minutes 88 percent longer than normal.

Related: 2024 Summer Safety Guide: Sharks, Snakes, Sand Holes, Storms And More

Other Means Of Travel Rebound

While most people are either driving or flying to their Memorial Day destinations, about 1.9 million people will take trains, buses and cruises, an increase of 5.6 percent from last year, AAA said.

“This category took the biggest hit during the pandemic with fewer people taking public transportation or not cruising at all,” Twidale said. “Now — five years later — we’re back to 2019 numbers. Travel demand has been soaring, and long holiday weekends create the perfect windows for getaways.”

The article Record Travel Expected For Memorial Day 2024: Here's When To Leave GA appeared first on Atlanta Patch .

Election latest: Farage has drink thrown over him after launching campaign

Nigel Farage has had a drink thrown over him after the new Reform UK leader launched his election campaign in Clacton, where he's hoping to be elected as an MP.

Tuesday 4 June 2024 14:37, UK

• General Election 2024

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Election news

• Bulletin: The main things you need to know this lunchtime
• Farage has drink thrown over him in Clacton
• Abbott makes Labour's final list of election candidates
• But Starmer admits he hasn't spoken to her for months
• First general election debate taking place this evening
• Be in the audience for our election leaders event
• Live reporting by Faith Ridler

Expert analysis

• Ed Conway: Why caps on migrant numbers don't really work
• Tamara Cohen: Labour to end 'soap opera' with final candidates list
• Mhari Aurora: Tories expecting potential defections to Reform
• Jon Craig: What we can learn from previous TV election debates

Election essentials

• Trackers: Who's leading polls? | Is PM keeping promises?
• Campaign Heritage: Memorable moments from elections gone by
• Follow Sky's politics podcasts: Electoral Dysfunction | Politics At Jack And Sam's
• Read more: Who is standing down? | Key seats to watch | How to register to vote | What counts as voter ID? | Check if your constituency is changing | Your essential guide to election lingo | Sky's election night plans

New Reform UK leader Nigel Farage had a drink thrown over him as he left the Moon and Starfish pub in Clacton.

He had been speaking to reporters in the pub after his busy rally at Clacton Pier, in which he launched his campaign with crowds of supporters - and others protesting his candidacy.

He was seen with the drink splattered over his suit as he boarded his campaign bus.

It had appeared that a woman threw a drink over him as he left a pub.

By Alexandra Rogers , political reporter

The Labour Party is expected to drop two of its general election candidates in Gosport and Barking following a crunch meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) today.

An email from the office of the general secretary, seen by Sky News, says the party is "not recommending candidates for endorsement" in Gosport or Barking as there are "outstanding NEC processes yet to conclude".

Labour had selected Edward Batterbury for Gosport and Darren Rodwell, the leader of Barking and Dagenham Council, for the parliamentary seat of Barking.

It comes after Mr Rodwell issued a statement on X on Monday, in which he said allegations about his behaviour had been made to Labour's complaints unit.

"I utterly refute what is being said," he wrote.

You can read more from Sky News here:

Faiza Shaheen, the former Labour candidate for Chingford and Woodford Green, has confirmed that she has resigned from the party today.

She said the decision came with a "heavy heart", adding: "I will not beg and grovel to earn my place - I want to be treated as an equal and with the respect afforded to others".

It comes after she was blocked from being the party's candidate in the constituency that's been held by prominent Tory Iain Duncan Smith.

It added to accusations that Sir Keir Starmer was engaging in a purge of Labour's left-wing.

You can read her statement in full here:

Rishi Sunak has just been spotted arriving at Manchester Piccadilly station ahead of a televised debate with Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer tonight.

It's the first time we've seen Mr Sunak today, as he has likely been busy preparing for this evening's debate.

This pic was snapped by our chief political correspondent Jon Craig .

John Swinney, leader of the SNP and Scottish first minister, has insisted he should be involved in tonight's leaders' debate between Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer.

The two men are going head-to-head on ITV, but Mr Swinney says he should be there too "because I'm the leader of the third-largest party in the UK".

He added: "We're not living in a presidency. We're living in a parliamentary democracy."

Mr Swinney said the Tory and Labour leaders "agree on an awful lot" and "want to do the same things", pointing to bringing migration down and economic restraints.

"We should have a different voice in there, a voice really against austerity. And that should be my voice."

The Tories have today announced a proposal to cap the number of migrant visas being issued to bring down immigration.

But according to our economics and data editor Ed Conway , there's no sign such a plan would have the desired impact.

And despite several public "misconceptions" about migration levels in the UK, the figure has never been as high as now.

Watch Ed go through the data below:

Nigel Farage is in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, today - launching his election campaign as the new leader of Reform UK.

He is also now the party's candidate in the constituency - his eighth attempt at winning a parliamentary seat since 1994. 

He has not yet been successful. 

But some locals don't seem thrilled that Mr Farage has gained candidacy in the constituency.

A group have been spotted holding a banner reading: "Farage not welcome here."

The other candidates for Clacton are:

• Jovan Owusu-Nepaul, Labour;
• Giles Watling, Conservatives;
• Natasha Osben, Greens;
• Matthew Bensilum, Lib Dems.

Stephen Kinnock, the shadow immigration minister, has accused the Tories of breaking "every single election commitment on immigration since 2010".

He was responding to Tory candidate Danny Kruger appearing to admit this is the case in a private recording obtained by LBC, saying "migration has risen every single time" the Conservatives pledged to reduce it.

Mr Kinnock said the Tories were now "admitting what the public already know" both "in public and in private".

On cutting immigration, he said they have been "promising pots of gold and delivering magic beans".

He said Labour's "practical plan to reduce immigration" included requiring employers to recruit and train local talent and setting up a Border Security Command to "smash the criminal gangs".

Labour's National Executive Committee is finalising the party's list of candidates for the general election - and Diane Abbott has made the cut.

Sky News has seen the list of candidates, and can confirm Ms Abbott has been selected for Hackney North and Stoke Newington.

It comes after the veteran left-winger said she intended to stand as Labour's candidate following months of uncertainty over her future.

A row has been ongoing for weeks over the treatment of Ms Abbott, after briefings - apparently incorrect - the leadership wanted to bar her.

Sir Keir Starmer has denied this was the case, with top Labour figures repeating that she would be free to run for her Hackney North and Stoke Newington seat after the party whip was restored last week.

She'd been suspended for more than a year over comments in which she suggested Jewish people did not experience racism, which she retracted and apologised for.

The Labour leader admitted today that he and Ms Abbott have not spoken in "two or three" months ( see 10.13 post ).

The main focus of the day for the Conservatives is their proposal to place an annual cap on worker and family visas. 

This is part of their efforts to make sure immigration figures fall year-on-year if they remain in government after the election. 

Temporary work routes, such as seasonal agricultural workers, would not fall within the cap.

Immigration has become a key battleground in this election after net migration hit a record high of 745,000 last year. 

And it was supercharged yesterday by Nigel Farage's return to the frontline of British politics.

Under the Tory plan, a Migration Advisory Committee will look at the numbers to balance the country's economic needs against the pressure on public services before suggesting a level to the government.

The government will then decide on a cap and put it to a vote in the Commons. 

Home Secretary James Cleverly faced questions on the campaign trail today about why the government hadn't suggested its own number for the cap. 

He said the plan would balance needs and costs, and a Tory majority would "take those figures and utilise them professionally". 

The home secretary said migration is putting pressure on public services and "getting the balance right is a conversation that is long overdue". 

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