AAA Says Millions to Travel for Christmas. Here's Everything to Know

Newsweek - Dec 18th, 2024

AAA forecasts a record-breaking 119.3 million people will travel 50 miles or more this holiday season from December 21 to January 1, surpassing the 2019 record. Around 90% of these travelers will drive, taking advantage of lower gas prices at $3.03 per gallon. Air travel will also reach new highs with 7.85 million passengers. Travel by bus, train, and cruise is up by nearly 10% compared to last year. Weather conditions, including winter warnings in 23 states, may impact travel, especially with a predicted increase in towns experiencing a white Christmas. Sunday, December 22, is expected to be the worst travel day in major metro areas, while Christmas Day should see minimal traffic. Rental car demand will peak in cities like Denver and Los Angeles. Experts advise traveling outside peak commuting hours to avoid delays.

Holiday Travel Aaa Record Travel

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RATING

6.6

Fair Story

Consider it well-founded

The article provides a comprehensive overview of the holiday travel projections and associated factors. However, it lacks some essential elements such as citations for data sources and predictions. It covers various aspects of travel, including weather conditions and traffic predictions, but could benefit from additional context and clarity in certain areas.

Accuracy

The article presents several statistics and predictions regarding holiday travel, but it lacks direct references or citations to verify these claims. Additionally, some details, such as the specific top 10 destinations, are incomplete.

Balance

The article provides a balanced overview of different travel modes and potential issues, such as weather conditions and traffic congestion. It includes quotes from various experts and organizations, offering multiple perspectives.

Clarity

The article is generally clear, but some sections are incomplete or lack specific details (e.g., top 10 destinations). The structure could be improved for better flow and understanding, especially in sections discussing travel times and conditions.

Source quality

While the article mentions reputable organizations like AAA, INRIX, and the National Weather Service, it does not provide direct references or links to their reports or data, which affects the credibility of the information.

Transparency

The article lacks transparency as it does not disclose specific sources for its data or potential conflicts of interest. It mentions organizations but does not provide enough context or links to the original reports.