Record-breaking US travel predicted by AAA
More Americans will travel this Christmas-New Year’s holiday than ever before, according to AAA.
The group estimates that 64.9 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home during the holidays, a 2.2% increase from last year’s 63.5 million travelers.
“Because hotel rates and air fares have risen only slightly from this time last year, Americans will not hold back when making travel arrangements this holiday season,” said AAA Oregon Senior Vice President Beth Van Horn.
Approximately 52.6 million travelers (81% of all holiday travelers) expect to go by motor vehicle, a 2.1% increase from the 51.5 million who drove a year ago.
Another 9 million (nearly 14% of holiday travelers) plan to travel by airplane, up 2.7% from the 8.7 million that flew over the holidays last year. A projected 3.3 million travelers (5%) will go by train, bus, or other mode of transportation, up slightly from a year ago.
According to AAA’s Leisure Travel Index, Christmas hotel rates are up 4% or AAA-rated Three Diamond hotels, as strong demand allows hoteliers to raise rates. Airfares basically stayed even while rental car rates dropped an average 3% from their prices last Christmas.
Travelers during the New Year holiday also will be rewarded with airfares two percent lower and no increase in hotel rates from last New Year. But rental car rates will be about five percent higher than one year ago.
Small towns and rural areas are the expected destinations for 37.6% of holiday travelers, followed by cities, 35.3%. Oceans and beaches should see 10.1%of travelers, followed by mountain areas, 6.5%; theme/amusement parks, 3.9%.
Report by David Wilkening
David
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Qatar Airways offers reduced timetable to over 60 destinations
Hands In, UATP join forces for airline multi-card payments
AirlineRatings reveals world's safest airline rankings for 2026
Vietnam warns airlines of possible flight reductions amid jet fuel shortages
Fliggy opens AI-powered travel bookings and developer tools