Low gas prices give in to record holiday travel

WASHINGTON (TNND) — Holiday travel is on track to set a new record, according to AAA. Over 122 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles this holiday season.

But what is behind the surge?

Even when we talk about a travel headaches like traffic delays, cancellations at airports, bad weather, people still travel in big numbers,” AAA spokesperson Aixa Diaz told The National News Desk.

Diaz said people want to get away from home, even if it means not getting on a plane. AAA considers travel 50 miles more from home.

What helps with that is low gas prices.

But this holiday season, we’re paying the lowest gas prices we’ve been paying since 2021. So the national average is below $3 a gallon. And we haven’t seen that since the spring of 2021. So that’s definitely good news for a lot of people,” Diaz said.

Because of this, roadways can get. busy. Diaz said the day after Christmas is a huge travel day and you may want to consider that in your travel plans.

“Overall, Christmas week is going to be busier on the roads and New Year’s Week, but still, those two weeks are going to be very busy, particularly in the afternoon early,” Diaz said.

When it comes to airfare, however, prices remain high. One way to avoid costly airfare, Diaz said, is to travel around the holidays or on them.

For example, if you fly on Christmas Day, evening hours. So if you can hit the road before 10 a.m., that’s your best bet. If you wait until lunchtime and you hit the road in the afternoon, that’s when the metro areas and those interstates get very congested,” Diaz said.

“That’s going to be cheaper than flying on the 20th or the 23rd. A lot of people want to be at their destination already by Christmas morning, but if you don’t really mind, maybe getting a last-minute flight on Christmas Day might be your best option,” Diaz added.

On top of that, people are not spending money on lodging because they are staying with family, she added. One travel tip Diaz said not to forget is to check the weather forecast.

“This time of year, the weather plays a huge role in how you’re getting around,” Diaz said.