This year’s Christmas and New Year holiday season in the United States is expected to welcome the busiest year-end travel season in history, with an estimated number of travelers surpassing 120 million. Data shows that Florida, Southern California, and Hawaii are among the most favored domestic travel destinations, while the Caribbean region and Mexican resort towns are popular choices for international travel.
According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), during the year-end holiday period from December 20 to January 1, approximately 122.4 million Americans are expected to travel, setting a new record compared to 2024. In Southern California alone, the total number of travelers is projected to reach 10.2 million.
Among various modes of transportation, road trips remain the top choice for Americans. It is estimated that 109.5 million Americans will drive to their holiday destinations, including 8.9 million residents of Southern California.
The good news is that the current average gasoline price in the U.S. has dropped to its lowest level in nearly five years: as of December 12, the average price of self-serve regular gasoline in the U.S. is $2.932 per gallon, while in California, it is $4.396 per gallon. However, some roads are expected to experience unusually high traffic congestion during certain time periods.
Traffic data analysis firm INRIX predicts that the weekends before Christmas (December 20 and 21) and the day after Christmas (December 26) are expected to be the most congested days on the roads.
In addition to road trips, 8 million people will travel by plane, while another 4.9 million will opt for buses, trains, or cruises. According to AAA’s booking data, domestic flight prices in the U.S. have increased by 7% this year, with an average ticket price of $890; on the other hand, international flight prices have decreased by 14% compared to last year, with an average ticket price of $1,400.
AAA analysis reveals that airfares are most expensive in the days leading up to Christmas, relatively cheaper on Christmas day, and generally higher during the New Year period, as many people tend to return home on New Year’s day or even delay their return until January 4, leading to sustained high air ticket prices.
“People are eager to travel during this holiday season,” said Debbie Haas, Vice President of Travel at AAA. “This will result in record numbers of travelers on roads and at airports. We advise everyone to plan ahead, book flights early, and allocate sufficient travel time.”
Haas also reminded air travelers that the risk of flight delays and cancellations increases during the winter and peak travel periods. Travel insurance can help compensate for unexpected expenses such as rebooking fees, lost luggage, and itinerary disruptions.
The year-end travel season in the U.S. is bustling with activity. Booking data shows that domestic travelers prefer destinations with warm climates, while international travelers favor Caribbean regions and Mexican resort towns.
Here are the top five domestic travel destinations:
1) Orlando, Florida
2) Fort Lauderdale, Florida
3) Miami, Florida
4) Anaheim, Orange County, California
5) Honolulu, Hawaii
And the top five international travel hotspots:
1) Cancun, Mexico
2) Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
3) Cozumel, Mexico
4) San José, Costa Rica
5) Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
According to a survey conducted by the Automobile Club of Southern California’s travel advisors, here are the top five self-driving travel destinations preferred by Southern California residents:
1) San Diego
2) Las Vegas
3) Anaheim, Orange County, California
4) Central Coast of California
5) National Parks in California and Arizona
It is worth noting that December is designated as the national month to prevent drunk driving in the U.S., and law enforcement will intensify efforts to combat drunk driving. Authorities remind drivers to abide by traffic rules and ensure they remain sober while driving.