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- More than 109 million people are expected to take a road trip between Dec. 23 and Jan. 2.
- A report from AAA and Inrix expects 34% more travelers on the road this year compared to 2020.
- Travelers who want to avoid traffic should plan on hitting the road early.
Driving home for Christmas or New Year’s Eve? You might want to hit the roads early.
More than 109 million people are expected to hit the road between Dec. 23 and Jan. 2, driving up congestion across the nation – especially along popular corridors in major cities. While traffic will likely still fall below 2019 levels, a recent report from AAA and transportation analytics company Inrix forecasts 34% more travelers on the roads compared to last year.
Travel times are influenced by a number of factors, including road closures, crashes and weather. Travelers in certain regions may face additional delays thanks to a shortage of snowplow drivers.
Some of the worst days for congestion will be after Christmas but before New Year’s Eve, when travel for the two holidays overlaps, according to Inrix analyst Bob Pishue.
“The worst days for delay are actually right before New Year’s … so the 27th and 28th,” Pishue told USA TODAY. “(But) I think people can expect much less congestion during the Christmas holiday travel season than they just saw three weeks ago during Thanksgiving.”
► Holiday travel:December snow highlights impact of snowplow driver shortage on road travel this winter
►Travel weather forecast:What airlines owe you when flights are canceled, delayed
If you’re hoping to avoid traffic, Pishue suggests leaving early.
“Trying to get out before that midday traffic starts to build is really the key,” Pishue said, noting that there are some exceptions. A corridor in Washington, D.C., for instance, is set to see traffic surge 270% the morning of Dec. 27.
The worst times to travel for Christmas, New Year’s Eve
According to Inrix, the best and worst times for traffic between Dec. 23 and Jan. 2 are:
- Dec 23: Best time is after 7 p.m., worst time is between noon and 6 p.m.
- Dec. 24: Best time is before 1 p.m., worst time is between 2 and 6 p.m.
- Dec 25: Minimal congestion expected
- Dec. 26: Best time is before noon, worst time is between 1 and 7 p.m.
- Dec. 27: Best time is before 1 p.m., worst time is between 5 and 6 p.m.
- Dec. 28: Best time is before noon, worst time is between 1 and 7 p.m.
- Dec. 29: Best time is before 11 a.m., worst time is between 1 and 7 p.m.
- Dec. 30: Best time is before noon, worst time is between 1 and 7 p.m.
- Dec. 31: Best time is before 1 p.m. or after 5 p.m., worst time is between 2 and 4 p.m.
- Jan. 1: Minimal congestion expected
- Jan. 2: Best time is before 1 p.m., worst time is between 2 and 6 p.m.
The worst areas for traffic during the holidays
Inrix found major metropolitan areas like Chicago, Seattle and New York City have some of the highest traffic spikes over the upcoming holidays. The worst corridors and times to travel over the upcoming holidays include:
- New York: Traffic is expected to be 358% above normal on Dec. 27 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Interstate 278 South from Interstate 495 to 3rd Avenue.
- Washington: Traffic is expected to be 270% above normal on Dec. 27 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Interstate 95 South from Interstate 395 to Virginia State Route 123.
- Chicago: Traffic is expected to be 240% above normal on Dec. 23 from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Interstate 290 West from Morgan Street to Wolf Road.
- Seattle: Traffic is expected to be 215% above normal on Dec. 28 from 4:45 to 6:45 p.m. on Interstate 5 South from Washington State Route 18 to Washington State Route 7.
- Detroit: Traffic is expected to be 209% above normal on Dec. 23 from 9:45 to 11:45 a.m. on U.S. Route 23 North from 8 Mile Road to Interstate 96.
- Atlanta: Traffic is expected to be 198% above normal on Jan. 2 from 3:45 to 5:45 p.m. on Interstate 85 South from Clairmont Road to Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.
- Houston: Traffic is expected to be 195% above normal on Jan. 2 from 5 to 7 p.m. on Interstate 10 West from Sjolander to Texas State Highway Spur 330.
- Los Angeles: Traffic is expected to be 194% above normal on Jan. 2 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Interstate 405 South from Sunset Boulevard to Interstate 105.
- Boston: Traffic is expected to be 155% above normal on Dec. 23 from 1:45 to 3:45 p.m. on Interstate 93 North from Quincy Market to Route 28.
- San Francisco: Traffic is expected to be 166% above normal on Dec. 23 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Interstate 80 North from Interstate 580 to San Pablo Dam Road.
Follow USA TODAY reporter Bailey Schulz on Twitter: @bailey_schulz.
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