Holiday travel predictions call for record highs for air traffic, high numbers of motorists

Garret Roberts, Beaver County Times
Updated ·4 min read

As families across Pennsylvania prepare for their holiday plans, it's becoming clear that Santa Claus won't be the only one traveling the globe for Christmas.

In new holiday travel predictions from AAA East Central, projections indicate that over 115 million people will travel over 50 miles from home for Christmas and New Year's Eve celebrations. This upcoming 10-day period is a 2.2% increase from last year's predictions and is the second-busiest travel season since 2000.

AAA East Central predicts that over 115 million people will travel over 50 miles from home for Christmas and New Year's Eve celebrations this year.
AAA East Central predicts that over 115 million people will travel over 50 miles from home for Christmas and New Year's Eve celebrations this year.

“This year’s holiday forecast is a perfect example of the strong travel trends we’ve been seeing all year,” said Bevi Powell, senior vice president of AAA East Central. “More Americans are investing in travel, so they can make those special memories with loved ones and experience new places.”

In the Mid-Atlantic region, which includes Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey, over 13 million people will be traveling for the holidays during 2023. This is a 2.6% increase for the region, slightly higher than national averages.

Travel in the Mid-Atlantic region will mean crowded airports, roads and waves

While vehicle traffic is always the most popular method of travel, this holiday season expects an increase of 1.8% in this type of traffic and nearly 104 million Americans are expected to drive to their holiday destinations. National averages for gas were around the same or lower across the United States last year, with prices averaging $3.15 per gallon last year.

In Pennsylvania, residents may see busier roads as there is predicted to be a 2.2% increase in total travelers. Across the Mid-Atlantic region, 11.7 million motorists are expected to fill the roadways, causing some traffic across Pennsylvania's major roadways. AAA East Central anticipates needing to help 930,000 callers during this time.

According to AAA, the average price for gas in Pennsylvania as of December 12, 2023, is $3.49 per gallon. This is around 35 cents higher than the national average, which was recorded as $3.14 per gallon. As the holidays approach, gas prices are expected to drop slightly.
According to AAA, the average price for gas in Pennsylvania as of December 12, 2023, is $3.49 per gallon. This is around 35 cents higher than the national average, which was recorded as $3.14 per gallon. As the holidays approach, gas prices are expected to drop slightly.

Gas prices in Pennsylvania are significantly higher than the national average but are expected to drop slightly before the holidays. While many parts of the country are seeing prices drop below $3 per gallon, an average of 12 cents cheaper than last year's rates, western Pennsylvania's gas prices remain at an average of $3.53 per gallon.

Airports will also be busy travel hubs this Christmas season, with travel experts noting that this will be the busiest season ever for local air travel. Over 7 million travelers will enter the airways across the United States, and over 900,000 will depart from Mid-Atlantic region airports. For local travelers, this is a 3.5% increase in air travelers compared to 2022.

The uptick in air travel is partially helped by lower ticket prices, with round-trip prices to popular destinations decreasing during 2023. According to AAA booking data, the average ticket price to Orlando this holiday season is $613, over $100 cheaper than last year's seasonal prices.

Traffic at Terminal 4 on Nov. 20, 2023, at Sky Harbor International Airport in Phoenix.
Traffic at Terminal 4 on Nov. 20, 2023, at Sky Harbor International Airport in Phoenix.

Domestic flights will be sending travelers to a variety of locations, with popular cities being a mix of both warm and chilly weather. Popular destinations this year include Orlando, Anaheim, Chicago, Charlotte, Miami, Atlanta, Las Vegas, New York, Phoenix, and Houston. When traveling to overseas destinations, popular spots include London, Aruba, Dublin, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Rome, Costa Rica, San Juan and Iceland.

With the large amount of travelers utilizing airports like the Pittsburgh International Airport, it can get slightly stressful for families and travelers with sensory issues. To accommodate these unique travelers, the Pittsburgh airport is reminding families that they can use the airport's sensory-friendly Presley's Place, which was opened in 2019.

Another popular method for travelers this season is cruises, which have seen a boom in popularity after the COVID-19 pandemic. According to AAA, the travel industry is preparing for the annual wave of bookings after the start of the new year.

When are the best times to drive this holiday season?

With so many travelers heading on adventures during the holidays, motorists in the Mid-Atlantic region should brace for some heavy periods of traffic throughout the 10-day travel rush.

As travelers depart on Saturday, Dec. 23, the worst traffic will occur from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., so motorists may want an early start to avoid potential congestion on popular roadways. Local traffic will decrease around Christmas Eve and Christmas Day as families settle in for celebration, so traffic on the two festive days is expected to have a minimal impact on the normal patterns.

Traffic moves along MacArthur Highway between the MacArthur Bridge and Jefferson Street in Peoria.
Traffic moves along MacArthur Highway between the MacArthur Bridge and Jefferson Street in Peoria.

Then, after these celebrations are complete, traffic will see significant impacts after 1 p.m. from Tuesday, Dec. 26, to Saturday, Dec. 30. Travelers hoping to avoid waits and delays may want to do necessary travel before noon on these days, as traffic will be the worst during the evenings.

On New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, the traffic will slow down again as many people ring in the new year with parties. There should be minimal impacts on normal traffic patterns as motorists cruise into 2024.

This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: Christmas and New Year's travel predictions call for high number of travelers in PA