Tuesday, December 12, 2023
There may be travel delays as Christmas and the New Year’s Day approaches.
An approximate number of 6.6 million Floridians is likely to travel 50 miles or more.
It will be during the year-end holiday travel period. It is between Dec 23 and Jan. 1 which is a new record. The report is on the basis of the report of AAA The Auto Club Group.
That’s nearly 218,000 (3.4%) more than last year, the previous record high, not including out-of-state visitors.
AAA forecasts more than 6 million Sunshine State residents will take to the road. The numbers are a roughly 181,000-person increase from 2022.
The not-for-profit organization anticipates another 356,790 will travel by air. It is more than 15,000-person uptick over the year prior.
AAA predicts about 31% of Americans 115.2 million people will travel during the last week of the year, up 2.5 million from 2022.
An overwhelming share of them (90%) are expected to do so by car or motorcycle.
They may enjoy cheaper gas while doing so. On Monday, gas prices sat below $3 per gallon in 23 states, including Florida. Here the average price was $2.99 which is a new 2023 low.
According to transportation data and insights company, road congestion will be the worst Dec. 23-28.
But motorists should also prepare for heavy traffic Dec. 30, when many people will be returning home or setting off for New Year’s Eve festivities.
The best times to set out, the company said, are before lunchtime or after 7 p.m.
Avoid peak commuting hours and use traffic apps, local (Department of Transportation) notifications, and 511 services to minimize holiday travel traffic frustrations.
Some 7.5 million Americans, including 357,000 Floridians, will take a commercial flight between Christmas and the New Year, AAA said.
If reached, the nationally projected numbers would set a new record for the period. In Florida, they’d fall 42,000 air travellers short of the state record set in 2003.
Of the 10 top domestic destinations in the U.S., based on AAA flight booking data, two are in Florida- Orlando and Miami.
The time to buy plane tickets was yesterday, Haas said.
AAA recommends booking flights as early as possible to ensure the best combination of prices and availability, she said.
Those waiting until the last minute could catch a discount but may have fewer options in terms of non-stop flights and seat availability.
About 4 million people will travel by bus, train and cruise, the most since 2008 and a 394,000-person increase from last year.
Demand for oceanic trips and the average price of a boarding pass have skyrocketed post-pandemic.
Haas said savvy travellers know that right after the holidays, when cruise lines are offering some of the best deals of the year, is the best time to book a cruise, and AAA members get exclusive benefits in addition to those discounts.
Tags: florida
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