Holiday travel is here.
It will be hard to avoid some of the headaches, but AAA has given us the worst days to travel in the hopes that you'll heed the warning. If you are driving, AAA estimates that most days between December 23rd and January 2nd could be hectic. Try to avoid afternoon and early evening travel on these days.
AAA expects minimal traffic on Christmas, New Year's Eve, and New Year's Day. According to Bob Pishue, transportation analyst at INRIX, the worst day to travel will be Tuesday, December 27th. The advice is to leave as early or as late as possible.
Best and worst times to travel by car
Date Worst travel time Best travel time
12/23/22 4 -7 p.m. Before 2 p.m., After 8 p.m.
12/24/22 12 – 6 p.m. Before 11 a.m., After 7 p.m.
12/25/22 Minimal traffic expected
12/26/22 2 – 6 p.m. Before 12 p.m., After 7 p.m.
12/27/22 3 – 7 p.m. Before 2 p.m., After 8 p.m.
12/28/22 3 – 7 p.m. Before 2 p.m., After 8 p.m.
12/29/22 3 – 7 p.m. Before 2 p.m., After 8 p.m.
12/30/22 3 – 7 p.m. Before 2 p.m., After 8 p.m.
12/31/22 Minimal traffic expected
1/1/23 Minimal traffic expected
1/2/23 4 – 7 p.m. Before 3 p.m., After 8 p.m.