Millions of travelers are gearing up for holiday road and flight trips to visit loved ones or enjoy vacations before the New Year. However, heavy traffic and crowded airports can steal the joy of your holiday. The worst times to hit the road or fly can help you plan the right times and avoid unwanted stress.
Here’s what experts say about peak times and tips on how to avoid traffic jams.
Worst Times to Travel by Car
For those traveling by car during this holiday season, timing is everything. Days just before important holidays are usually known for congestion, especially as travelers begin their journeys. AAA and traffic analytics firm INRIX said the worst times to drive:
- Day Before Thanksgiving (3 PM – 7 PM): Most analysts find the Wednesday afternoon leading into Thanksgiving the most congested, with heavy traffic from both commuterville and holiday travel in it. Congestion develops along major urban highways, where holiday travelers experience up to threefold delays.
- Christmas Eve (12 PM – 6 PM): Most families leave for vacation during Christmas Eve, usually in the afternoon. As people begin leaving work early to head out of town for the holidays, traffic is expected to worsen and chokepoints will form on high-impact routes.
- Weekend After Thanksgiving (1 PM – 7 PM): The Saturday and Sunday after Thanksgiving are also heavy travel periods since many people are returning home. Expect congested highways and hour-long delays.
Cheapest Days to Leave
These travel tips may help avoid traffic nightmares:
- Travel Early: Traveling very early in the morning (before 8 AM) reduces your chances of getting into heavy traffic significantly. As an alternative, try traveling after 8 PM when roads are much quieter.
- Plan Alternate Routes: Avoid major highways and interstates during peak times. Try apps like Waze or Google Maps to find less congested routes.
- Avoid Peak Days: Whenever possible, fly on off-peak days when they are available, such as the Tuesday before Thanksgiving or on Christmas They are usually quieter.
The Worst Times to Fly
Air travel is not problem-free, however. Choked airports, long security lines, and flight delays make flying a real headache. According to the reports from the TSA and airline officials, these times of the year are indeed the worst periods to fly.
- Thanksgiving Eve: That Wednesday before Thanksgiving is a hectic day on record, and the terminals pack with overbooked flights.
- Friday Before Christmas: It’s a very popular travel date because so many add the holiday to an existing end-of-week business trip.
- Post-Holiday Rush: The first weekday after New Year’s Day is notoriously brutal with vacationers and business travelers returning home, making for long lines at check-in and through security lines.
Best Times to Fly
To make your air travel more smooth sailing, take these guidelines into consideration:
- Fly Early in the Day: Early morning flights are less likely to be delayed and typically experience shorter lines.
- Avoid Peak Dates: If your schedule allows, travel a few days before or after the holiday rush to avoid crowds.
- Plan for Delays: Build extra time into your schedule to account for unexpected issues.
Despite the challenges posed by holiday travel, careful planning and knowledge of the busiest times for travel can really make all the difference. Driving and flying, if one’s schedule is readjusted to avoid congested roads and busy airports, they are sure to reach their destinations with holiday cheer intact.
