It’s beginning to look like a record breaking holiday travel season in Georgia. AAA projects 3.7 million Georgians will travel 50 miles or more from home between Dec. 21 and Jan. 1, surpassing last year’s record by over 108,000 travelers.
Travel Trends in Georgia:
• Driving: More than 3.3 million Georgians are expected to take road trips, making driving the most popular choice. Gas prices in the state currently average $2.90 per gallon, slightly lower than last year.
• Flying: About 198,366 Georgia residents are forecast to fly this holiday season.
• Other Modes: Nearly 176,164 Georgians will use buses, trains, or cruise ships to reach their destinations.
Nationwide Travel: AAA anticipates 119.3 million travelers across the country, which is 3 million more than in 2023. Road trips dominate, with 107 million expected to drive. Air travel is forecast to set a record at nearly 7.9 million passengers.
Safety Measures: AAA advises drivers to follow speed limits, ensure they are well-rested, and take breaks during long trips. The organization also urges caution around emergency responders and adherence to Move Over laws.
Congestion and Travel Patterns: Transportation analytics company INRIX predicts heavy congestion in major metro areas the weekends before Christmas and New Year’s Day. Boston, New York, and Seattle are among the cities expected to experience significant delays.
Popular Destinations: Florida cities like Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami top domestic travel lists, while Cancun and Nassau are among the preferred international locations.
AAA encourages travelers to plan ahead and allow extra time to navigate busy roads and airports during the holiday period.
B.T. Clark
B.T. Clark is an award-winning journalist and the Publisher of The Georgia Sun. He has 25 years of experience in journalism and served as Managing Editor of Neighbor Newspapers in metro Atlanta for 15 years and Digital Director at Times-Journal Inc. for 8 years. His work has appeared in several newspapers throughout the state including Neighbor Newspapers, The Cherokee Tribune and The Marietta Daily Journal. He is a Georgia native and a fifth-generation Georgian.
