The year-end holiday travel rush officially kicked off across the United States today, with a record 122.4 million Americans expected to travel by car, plane and other means between December 20 and January 1. The surge, driven by strong consumer confidence and lower gas prices, is already putting visible pressure on airports and highways nationwide.

At Bradley International Airport in Connecticut, early morning departures today were marked by packed check-in areas, long security lines and full parking lots as New England travelers began fanning out for Christmas and New Year’s trips.

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Record Holiday Travel Puts 2025 in the History Books

AAA’s latest year-end forecast projects that 122.4 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home over the 13-day Christmas and New Year’s period, surpassing last year’s record of 119.7 million.

The 2.2 percent increase confirms that holiday travel has not only recovered from the pandemic downturn but now exceeds pre-2020 volumes. Analysts say the spike reflects a combination of pent-up demand, a healthy labor market and the growing normalization of travel as part of family holiday traditions.

On the roads, an estimated 109.5 million people are expected to drive to their destinations, accounting for about 89 percent of all holiday travelers, according to AAA data. The national average price of gasoline has dipped below 3 dollars per gallon, the lowest level in roughly four years for this time of year, which is encouraging more drivers to opt for road trips instead of staying home.

Lower fuel costs are helping offset higher lodging expenses, with domestic hotel rates up sharply from last season.

Air travel is also set to break records. More than 8 million passengers are projected to fly on domestic routes between December 20 and January 1, the first time the year-end holiday period has topped the 8 million mark.

Airlines scheduled additional flights and upgauged aircraft on key routes to capture the robust demand, although operational and weather challenges remain a lingering concern as the busiest days approach.

Bradley International Airport Feels the First Wave

At Bradley International Airport, located just north of Hartford and serving much of Connecticut and western Massachusetts, the holiday rush arrived early today. Airport officials reported heavier-than-normal morning passenger flows, with screening queues swelling before sunrise as families, students and business travelers tried to beat the worst of the crowds.

Departure boards showed a dense schedule of flights to major hubs and popular leisure destinations such as Florida and the West Coast.

Travelers arriving at Bradley around dawn found terminal roadways clogged with curbside drop-offs, while some parking facilities neared capacity. Inside, airline counters were backed up with customers checking in luggage and navigating self-service kiosks.

Security lines, monitored by the Transportation Security Administration, wound through stanchions for extended periods at several checkpoints, although wait times generally remained within posted estimates.

Airport staff and airlines have been bracing for this peak period for weeks, adding seasonal workers, expanding customer service support and adjusting staffing patterns around early-morning and late-evening banks of flights.

Ground transport operators, including rideshare drivers and regional shuttle services, also reported stronger demand this morning as more travelers chose to leave their cars at home in anticipation of crowded airport parking facilities.

Highways Jam as Drivers Chase Low Gas Prices

On the nation’s roadways, traffic volumes began building steadily today as the first big holiday getaway weekend got underway. Major interstate corridors around metropolitan areas, including Boston, New York, Chicago, Atlanta and Los Angeles, saw heavier congestion, especially in the late morning and early afternoon hours as commuters, shoppers and long-distance travelers converged.

Transportation data firms expect some of the heaviest delays of the entire holiday period to occur on the afternoons leading into Christmas week.

Driving remains the dominant mode of holiday travel in part because of its perceived flexibility and affordability. With the national average gasoline price sitting just under 3 dollars a gallon, drivers are paying significantly less at the pump than they did during several recent holiday seasons.

Analysts at fuel-pricing firms forecast that Christmas Day itself could deliver some of the lowest gas prices of the year, barring any unexpected supply disruptions or severe storms.

State police agencies and highway patrols in multiple states have launched heightened holiday enforcement operations, targeting speeding, impaired driving and distracted driving.

Last year, AAA responded to more than 860,000 roadside assistance calls during the year-end period, and the organization is warning motorists to perform basic vehicle checks before setting out.

Officials are also urging drivers to build extra time into their itineraries, particularly on high-volume days when even minor fender-benders can ripple into extended backups.

Airlines and Airports Brace for Sustained Crowds

Unlike Thanksgiving, when volume typically spikes around a handful of peak days, airline and airport officials say the Christmas and New Year’s period brings a more sustained wave of travelers. From today through January 1, crowds at many terminals are expected to remain elevated without much of a lull, especially at large hubs and major sunbelt destinations.

Carriers have scheduled increased capacity on routes to Orlando, South Florida, Southern California, Hawaii and Las Vegas, reflecting strong demand for both family vacations and year-end getaways.

Industry data providers estimate that about 70 million passengers will travel by air globally during the core Christmas period, with the United States accounting for the largest share.

International routes to Europe, Mexico and the Caribbean remain especially popular with American travelers, aided by competitive fares on some long-haul flights even as domestic ticket prices have climbed.

This year, AAA reports that the average roundtrip domestic flight for holiday travel is nearly 900 dollars, about 7 percent higher than last year, while some international fares have come down from 2024 levels.

To manage the rush, airlines are advising customers to arrive at the airport at least two hours before domestic departures and three hours before international flights. Many carriers are also pushing travelers to check in online, use mobile boarding passes and prepay for baggage in order to reduce counter lines.

Airport authorities, including those at Bradley, are encouraging passengers to verify parking availability in advance and to consider off-site lots or public transportation where available.

Weather, Staffing and Infrastructure Add to Holiday Risks

While the forecast for most parts of the country at the outset of the travel period is relatively manageable, meteorologists caution that even moderate winter storms can disrupt tightly packed flight schedules and snarl traffic on key corridors.

In previous years, fast-moving systems have forced last-minute ground stops at major hubs and temporary closures along mountain passes and northern interstates, creating knock-on effects that stretched for days. With more people traveling than ever, the margin for error is smaller, and delays can accumulate quickly.

Airlines have spent much of the past two years rebuilding staffing levels, retraining crews and fine-tuning operations after the acute shortages that contributed to widespread cancellations earlier in the decade.

Nevertheless, the system is running close to full capacity during this peak period, which raises the stakes if severe weather, technical issues or air traffic control constraints suddenly reduce available flights. Industry observers say carriers are likely to preemptively trim some schedules or issue travel waivers if significant storms threaten major hubs.

On the ground, aging transportation infrastructure remains a concern, particularly in regions where heavy holiday volumes intersect with ongoing construction projects. Road closures, lane reductions and bridge work can create sudden chokepoints for holiday drivers who are already contending with heavy traffic.

Transportation departments in several states have pledged to suspend nonessential work over the busiest days, while still warning motorists to prepare for narrowed lanes and shifting traffic patterns in long-running work zones.

How Travelers Are Adapting to the New Normal

For many Americans, the expectation of crowds, delays and higher prices has become an accepted part of holiday travel planning. Surveys conducted by travel organizations this fall found that a growing share of travelers are booking trips earlier, opting for shoulder days outside the main peaks and purchasing travel insurance in case winter weather disrupts flights.

Some families are choosing to celebrate Christmas or New Year’s on slightly different dates to take advantage of cheaper and less crowded travel windows.

At Bradley International Airport this morning, several passengers said they deliberately picked early flights, hoping to reduce the risk of cascading delays. Others described building in extra layover time between connections and using airline apps to monitor gate changes and standby lists.

Road trippers, meanwhile, are spreading their journeys across multiple days, planning overnight stops rather than driving through the night on the busiest corridors.

Travel advisors report brisk demand for package trips that bundle flights, hotels and car rentals, particularly to warm-weather destinations listed among this year’s most popular holiday spots.

Orlando, South Florida, Southern California, Hawaii, New York City, Dallas and Las Vegas rank high on many lists, with families often combining theme park visits or beach time with visits to relatives. Cruise travel has also rebounded strongly, and rail operators and intercity bus companies are seeing steady gains from travelers who prefer to avoid congested highways and airports.

Tips for Navigating the Busiest Days Ahead

Transportation experts say the key to surviving the coming days on the road or in the air is flexibility and preparation. For drivers, that begins with checking the vehicle’s tires, battery, fluids and wipers, then mapping out routes that account for known bottlenecks.

Traffic analytics firms recommend traveling in the early mornings when possible, especially on the Saturdays and Sundays around Christmas and New Year’s, and avoiding afternoon departure windows that historically see the heaviest congestion.

For fliers, basic steps can make a meaningful difference: traveling with carry-on luggage when feasible to reduce the risk of lost bags, downloading airline and airport apps to receive real-time alerts, and familiarizing oneself with carrier policies on delays and cancellations.

Travelers with tight connections are encouraged to sit closer to the front of the aircraft when possible and to notify gate agents in advance if a delay threatens a key onward leg. Families traveling with children may want to pack snacks, entertainment and essential medications in easily accessible bags in case of extended waits on the ground.

At airports such as Bradley, officials are also advising travelers to allow additional time for parking, check-in and security. Those who can use trusted traveler programs for expedited screening are urged to have their membership details up to date and boarding passes properly encoded.

And regardless of the mode of travel, experts stress the benefits of patience and civility in a season when nearly everyone is contending with the same crowds, weather and timetable pressures.

FAQ

Q1: How many Americans are expected to travel for the 2025 year-end holidays?
AAA projects that 122.4 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home between December 20 and January 1, setting a new record and surpassing last year’s total of 119.7 million travelers.

Q2: How busy is Bradley International Airport expected to be during this period?
Bradley International Airport reported heavy passenger flows starting this morning and is preparing for sustained crowds through New Year’s, with busy check-in areas, longer security lines and strong demand for parking and ground transportation.

Q3: What share of travelers will be driving versus flying?
About 109.5 million people are expected to travel by car, representing roughly 89 percent of all year-end holiday travelers, while more than 8 million passengers are projected to fly on domestic routes during the same period.

Q4: Why are so many people choosing to drive this year?
Driving remains popular because it offers flexibility and, this year, relatively low fuel costs, with the national average price of gasoline falling below 3 dollars per gallon, the lowest holiday level in several years.

Q5: Are flight prices higher than last year?
Yes. AAA data indicates that the average roundtrip domestic flight for the year-end holidays is nearly 900 dollars, roughly 7 percent higher than a year ago, although some international fares have declined.

Q6: Which travel days are expected to be the most crowded?
The busiest days are expected to fall in the lead-up to Christmas and again just after the holiday, with Saturdays and the afternoons and early evenings on peak days forecast to see the heaviest traffic on both roads and at airports.

Q7: How can air travelers reduce their chances of delays or missed flights?
Experts recommend arriving at the airport at least two hours before domestic flights, checking in online, using mobile boarding passes, traveling with carry-on bags when possible and booking longer connection times to cushion against delays.

Q8: What should drivers do to prepare for long road trips?
Motorists are advised to inspect tires, brakes, batteries and fluids before departure, pack an emergency kit, monitor weather and traffic forecasts, and schedule travel for early in the day to avoid the worst congestion.

Q9: How might winter weather impact holiday travel?
Even moderate storms can trigger flight delays, cancellations and hazardous driving conditions on major highways. Airlines may issue travel waivers or adjust schedules if severe weather threatens, and drivers should be ready to change plans or delay departures when conditions deteriorate.

Q10: What are airports like Bradley doing to manage the surge in passengers?
Airports are increasing staffing, coordinating closely with airlines and security agencies, opening additional service counters where possible and urging passengers to arrive early, use technology to streamline their journey and check on parking and flight status before heading to the terminal.