How Bad Will Traffic Be During The Holidays? What Drivers Can Expect This Year

Holiday travel is often a hot topic of conversation, with many drivers wary of potential traffic jams. The outlook isn't good for 2017, as the American Automobile Association (AAA) is expecting a 3.1 percent increase in travel volume between Dec. 23 and New Year’s Day.

A staggering 107.3 million people are expected to hit the road or travel by plane, train or some other means of transportation during the season. This is more than double what AAA predicted for the Thanksgiving holiday this year. Of those 107.3 million people, 97.4 million are expected to travel by car.

Due to that massive volume of cars on the road, travel times might end up three times as long as normal, according to INRIX, a transportation analytics company that worked with AAA to make this season's projections.

The number of people traveling for the holiday has increased for the past nine years by more than 21.6 million people since 2005, according to AAA.

“More expensive gas prices are not swaying holiday revelers to stay home,” Bill Sutherland, AAA Senior Vice President of Travel and Publishing, said in a press release. “In fact, across the board this year, travel has increased year-over-year for every major holiday weekend.”

AAA advises that travelers build extra time into their travels, especially those who will be traveling in or around cities. Additionally, it will be best for travelers to avoid peak times and to seek alternative routes. The best time to hit the road is early in the morning or just after the morning commute.

AAA has a list of cities along with the worst day and time to travel ahead of the holidays available on its website.

While car travel will see a 3.1 percent increase, there will also be a 4.1 percent increase in airline travel and a 2.2 percent increase in trains, buses, rails and cruise ships.

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