Travel challenges and solutions this Christmas Season

The second highest year-end holiday travel is forecasted.

According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), more than 115 million travelers will head 50 miles or more from home over the 10-day year-end holiday travel period. This year’s total number of domestic travelers is a 2.2% increase over last year and the second highest year-end travel forecast since 2000, when AAA began tracking holiday travel. The 2019 holiday remains the busiest Christmas and New Year’s travel period on record with 119 million travelers.

AAA expects nearly 104 million people will drive to their holiday destinations, an increase of 1.8% compared to 2022. As 2023 comes to a close, drivers can expect to pay about the same or less for a gallon of gas than they did last holiday season, when the national average on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day was $3.10 and $3.20 respectively. In Washington however, gas prices remain historically high at almost $4.00 per gallon.

To find the cheapest gas prices, consider downloading the Gas Buddy App or visiting Gas Buddy.

Quick Travel Links

The Washington Department of Transportation also provides Christmas holiday weekend travel charts.

Severe weather or other emergencies can affect traffic levels beyond projected congested times.

Travel challenges and solutions this Christmas Season

Quick Travel Links

Christmas weekend travel charts – I-5 Lacey to Tacoma

Christmas weekend travel charts – I-90 North Bend to Cle Elum

Christmas weekend travel charts – US 2 between Stevens Pass and Skykomish

Christmas weekend travel charts – I-5 U.S.-Canada border

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