According to the recent travel forecast from AAA, over 112 million Americans will journey 50 miles or more from their homes from Dec. 23 to Jan. 2. This is an increase of 3.6 million travelers from the 2021 holiday travel season and the third biggest season for holiday travel since 2000. Numbers also continue to grow closer to pre-pandemic travel numbers, signaling more public comfort with traveling after the spread of COVID-19.
Despite the continuous shift in gas prices, vehicle travel remains the most popular method for travel this year. Over 102 million Americans plan to drive to their holiday destinations, which is on par with numbers recorded in 2019. The largest number of vehicle travel was recorded in 2019, with 108 million travelers flooding the roadways for the holidays.
In the mid-Atlantic region, 11.5 million motorists are planning to travel by car. Fuel prices across Pennsylvania have been slowly decreasing during December, with a statewide average of $3.73 per gallon of gas as of Dec. 14. Prices for gas are the highest in western Pennsylvania, which is typically above $3.75 per gallon.
This is notably higher than the rest of the United States, with the national average currently being reported at $3.21 per gallon. Nationally prices are 6 cents cheaper than they were last year, with experts saying that an increased supply and increased demand have led to pushing prices lower.
“The seasonal pattern of less driving due to shorter days and crummy weather, combined with a lower oil cost, is driving gas prices lower,” said Andrew Gross, AAA spokesman. “If this trend continues, many states could see their average prices fall below $3 a gallon by early next year.”
Air travel will also see a spike this year, with 7.2 million Americans traveling by air during the end of 2022. Increased demand for air travel will mean higher prices for tickets and packed airports this season, reminiscent of pre-pandemic travel at its peak. In the mid-Atlantic forecast, over 868,000 travelers plan to start their journeys at local airports.
The alternative modes of travel are also popular this year, rebounding from low numbers seen in the pandemic: 3.6 million Americans and 365,000 mid-Atlantic region residents plan to take trips on buses, railways and cruise ships this season. Local demand for these methods of transportation has increased by 28% and across the nation, demand has increased by 23% for these modes of transportation.
AAA reports the top destination for travelers across the United States remains theme parks, with Anaheim and Orlando remaining in the top spots for annual holiday travel. Two East Coast destinations, New York and Boston, are also popular destinations this year. Many travelers are also opting to head to warmer cities for the holidays, including Atlanta, Tampa, Phoenix and Las Vegas.
