BOISE, Idaho — AAA reports roughly 115 million people are going to travel this holiday season and about 660,000 Idahoans will end 2023 with at least one family getaway which is roughly 2.5 million more people than last year.
The Christmas travel season combines more travelers than the 4th of July and Thanksgiving combined. Estimates from AAA are this will be the second busiest day on record and will set a new record for air travel in the process. While AAA said 2023 Christmas and New Year's travel volumes will take 2nd place over all, 2019 remains the busiest year on record for holiday travel with 119 million travelers.
"To put it in perspective, more than a third of the U.S. population will be on the move over a ten-day span. That's a lot of vehicle traffic and a lot of people at the airport," AAA Idaho public affairs director Matthew Conde said. "Getting an early jump will be the name of the game."
Christmas and New Year's travel is from Dec. 23 through Jan. 1. AAA estimates that the busiest times on the road will be on Saturday, Dec. 23 and Saturday Dec. 30. For air travel, Dec. 21 and 22 will be highly busy travel days, AAA said. Drivers will likely face crowds on Dec. 23 and before noon on the remaining days of the holiday.
"While long-term consumer confidence is a bit shaky, people see family time over the holidays as an important investment in quality of life," Conde said. "Lower pump prices will help Idaho families put an extra tank of gas in the car and maybe an extra present or two under the tree."
The average price of a gallon of regular gasoline in Idaho sitting at $3.44 which is nearly 11 cents less than a week ago, 35 cents less than a month ago, and 36 cents less than a year ago, according to AAA. The national average sits at $3.15 per gallon, which is 9 cents less than a week ago, 22 cents less than a month ago, and 12 cents less than a year ago.
With the decrease in prices, the Gem State made the top ten list for the biggest gas price drops from a week ago.
AAA estimates 90% of the total travelers for the holiday will go by car, which is an increase of nearly two million people from a year ago. AAA also states that 6.5% will fly which is an increase 330,000 people from a year ago. Other kinds of travel, such as cruise ships, buses and trains, will increase by 11%, according to AAA.
"People want to travel on their terms. For some, that means quickly reaching their destination. For others, it's all about the maximum flexibility that a personal vehicle provides," Conde said. "A cruise to a tropical destination – with all the arrangements covered – is always a popular choice, and for those who are on a budget or who don't want to drive or deal with TSA lines, a bus or train may be a good fit. Really, there are options for just about everyone."
AAA recommends that regardless of your mode of transportation, arrive early to protect against unforeseen delays.
The Top Ten Year-End Holiday Destinations for Idaho Travelers are as follows:
1. Anaheim/Los Angeles
2. Salt Lake City, UT
3. Las Vegas, NV
4. Orlando, FL
5. Portland, OR
6. Phoenix, AZ
7. Seattle, WA
8. Hawaii
9. Bend, OR
10. Reno, NV
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