Peak Congestion Times for Christmas and New Year’s
The Busiest and Best Times for Holiday Travel : Traffic is expected to be heaviest during the weekends leading up to Christmas and New Year’s, with delays potentially increasing travel times by as much as 30%, according to INRIX. To help you plan, here are the anticipated worst times to be on the road:
- Thursday, Dec. 19: 3–8 p.m.
- Friday, Dec. 20: 1–8 p.m.
- Saturday, Dec. 21: 4–8 p.m.
- Sunday, Dec. 22: 3–8 p.m.
- Monday, Dec. 23: 1–6 p.m.
- Thursday, Dec. 26: Noon–5 p.m.
- Friday, Dec. 27: 3–7 p.m.
- Saturday, Dec. 28: 1:30–7 p.m.
- Sunday, Dec. 29: Noon–6 p.m.
- Monday, Dec. 30: 5–7 p.m.
- Thursday, Jan. 2: 4–8 p.m.
Best Times for Holiday Road Trips
To avoid the worst traffic, consider driving during off-peak hours or on the holidays themselves, such as Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, or New Year’s Day. Here’s a breakdown of the best travel times:
- Thursday, Dec. 19: Before 11 a.m.
- Friday, Dec. 20: Before 11 a.m.
- Saturday, Dec. 21: Before 2 p.m.
- Sunday, Dec. 22: Before noon
- Monday, Dec. 23: Before 11 a.m.
- Thursday, Dec. 26: Before 11 a.m.
- Friday, Dec. 27: Before 2 p.m.
- Saturday, Dec. 28: Before 11 a.m.
- Sunday, Dec. 29: Before 11 a.m.
- Monday, Dec. 30: Before 2 p.m.
- Thursday, Jan. 2: Before 3 p.m.
City-Specific Traffic Predictions
Major metropolitan areas will experience the most significant delays, especially during peak hours. INRIX transportation analyst Bob Pishue advises avoiding travel during rush hour, opting instead for early mornings or post-commute evenings.
Here are the worst traffic predictions for several U.S. cities:
- Atlanta:
- Route: I-20 E (Atlanta to Augusta)
- Worst Day: Sunday, Dec. 22, at 1:45 p.m.
- Travel Time: 2 hours, 54 minutes (38% increase)
- Boston:
- Route: Pilgrim Hwy S (Boston to Hyannis)
- Worst Day: Friday, Dec. 20, at 3:45 p.m.
- Travel Time: 2 hours, 24 minutes (100% increase)
- Chicago:
- Route: I-94 W (Chicago to Milwaukee)
- Worst Day: Sunday, Dec. 22, at 4:45 p.m.
- Travel Time: 2 hours, 2 minutes (69% increase)
- Houston:
- Route: I-10 W (Lafayette to Houston)
- Worst Day: Friday, Dec. 27, at 5:45 p.m.
- Travel Time: 4 hours, 54 minutes (53% increase)
- Los Angeles:
- Route: I-10 E (Los Angeles to Palm Springs)
- Worst Day: Sunday, Dec. 22, at 7:45 p.m.
- Travel Time: 2 hours, 53 minutes (81% increase)
- New York:
- Route: Long Island Expressway E (NYC to Hamptons)
- Worst Day: Sunday, Dec. 22, at 4:30 p.m.
- Travel Time: 2 hours, 39 minutes (108% increase)
- San Francisco:
- Route: I-80 E (San Francisco to Napa)
- Worst Day: Saturday, Dec. 21, at 7:30 p.m.
- Travel Time: 2 hours, 2 minutes (82% increase)
- Seattle:
- Route: I-90 W (Seattle to Ellensburg)
- Worst Day: Friday, Dec. 20, at 7 p.m.
- Travel Time: 3 hours, 18 minutes (106% increase)
- Washington, D.C.:
- Route: US-50 E (D.C. to Annapolis)
- Worst Day: Thursday, Dec. 19, at 4:30 p.m.
- Travel Time: 1 hour, 17 minutes (160% increase)
Tips for Winter Travel
With nearly half of Americans planning to travel this winter, flexibility is key to avoiding crowds and securing the best deals. Consider postponing your trip to January or February, excluding holiday weekends like Presidents Day, for lower prices.
For example, round-trip flights to the Caribbean start at $300, and European destinations can be found for less than $400 round-trip during these months. To minimize delays, choose early morning flights and direct routes whenever possible.
Here’s a detailed visual representation of the best and worst times to travel during the holiday season. The top portion highlights heavy traffic periods with stressed drivers and congested highways, while the bottom showcases optimal travel times with clear roads and joyful drivers. The design incorporates festive elements like snowflakes and Christmas trees for a holiday theme.