PROVIDENCE – A record 107.3 million Americans will travel for the winter holiday this year, according to AAA Northeast.
AAA Northeast said holiday travel volume between Dec. 23 and Jan. 1 has increased by 21.6 million since 2005.
Rhode Island's Market Has Changed. Developers, Builders, Investors and Sellers Must Change With It.
By Emilio DiSpirito IV License Partner | Engel & Völkers Oceanside Leader | The DiSpirito…
Learn More
Approximately 4.5 million travelers will be from the New England region this year, 4 million, of which, will be travelling by car.
The peak traffic time is expected to be late afternoons on Wednesday, Dec. 20, and Thursday, Dec. 21, as commuters and travelers overlap on the road.
Travelers could expect drive times up to three times longer than normal, the report said.
In Boston, the commute time is supposed to reach two times longer than normal on Thursday, Dec. 21, from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
“More expensive gas prices are not swaying holiday revelers to stay home,” said Lloyd Albert, AAA Northeast senior vice president of public and government affairs, in a statement. “In fact, across the board this year, travel has increased year over year for every major holiday weekend – Memorial Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving – and we project the same for the year-end holiday period. We’ve seen the strong economy and growing consumer confidence fuel holiday travel all year long.”
Other holiday travel predictions:
- Approximately 97.4 million Americans will travel by car for the holidays this year.
- 6.4 million will travel by air.
- 3.6 million will travel by bus, train and cruise ship this year.
