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AAA: Record number of holiday travelers expected to close out 2024

AAA car rental partner Hertz says Phoenix is one of the cities displaying the highest holiday rental demand.
Queen Creek Sun Times Staff
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“The year-end holidays are a time to reconnect with loved ones and honor family traditions, with millions traveling by air and road to be together,” said Cyndi Zesk, Senior Vice President of Travel for AAA Arizona. Stock Photo

AAA projects 119.3 million people will travel 50 miles or more from home over the year-end holiday period from Saturday, December 21 to Wednesday, January 1. Travel across all modes is up over last year. And travel by other modes, including cruises and rail travel, is projected to be the highest in 20 years. 

This year’s domestic travel projection narrowly surpasses the previous record set in 2019 by 64,000 travelers. More than 2.3 million Arizonans will be among those on vacation. That figure is 2 percent higher than 2023 levels.

“The year-end holidays are a time to reconnect with loved ones and honor family traditions, with millions traveling by air and road to be together,” said Cyndi Zesk, Senior Vice President of Travel for AAA Arizona. 

Year-End Travelers by Mode

  • By Car: Nearly 90% of holiday travelers will be driving to their destinations, making it the most popular way to travel. 107 million people are expected to travel by car. Of those, 2 million will be Arizonans, nearly matching the 2019 record for road travel. This holiday season, gas prices are lower than last year, when the national average was around $3.12 in the last two weeks of 2023. The statewide average across Arizona is $3.15.

AAA car rental partner Hertz says Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Oahu, Orlando, Phoenix, and Tampa are the cities displaying the highest rental demand for the holidays. The busiest car pick-up days are expected to be Friday, December 20 and Saturday, December 21. The busiest time for rental returns is expected to be the weekend and Monday after Christmas. The average length of rental is one week.

  • By Air: AAA expects air travel to set a record this holiday season with 7.85 million passengers nationwide, with about 181,000 being from Arizona. That number surpasses the previous record of 7.5 million air travelers last year. AAA booking data shows flights are 4% more expensive this holiday season compared to last year. The average domestic ticket is $830. International flights are 13% more expensive, averaging $1,630 a ticket.

  • By Other Modes: The number of Americans traveling by bus, train and cruise this holiday season is up nearly 10% compared to last year. AAA expects 4.47 million people will travel by other modes nationwide with about 80,000 being from Arizona. That number is the highest it’s been in 20 years. Domestic cruise bookings are up 37% compared to last holiday season. 

“Holiday travel brings us together, but safety should always come first,” said Todd Burger, Chief Automotive Officer for AAA Arizona. “Smart choices can ensure a safer journey for everyone this holiday season.”

AAA Arizona’s Travel Tips

  1. Be prepared. Arrive at airports and train stations earlier than normal since there could be unexpected delays and larger than usual crowds.

  2. When traveling with children - or even for yourself - take snacks along in case of delays 

  3. If you can, bring a carry-on instead of checked luggage - you'll get out of the airport faster and won’t have to worry about lost baggage. 

  4. Pack your patience.With an additional 2.5 million travelers expected on the roads during this year-end holiday travel period, AAA urges drivers to prioritize.

  5. Buy travel insurance. If things go wrong, your travel investment will be protected.