How Americans are Traveling for the Holidays

The holiday season is a time for connection and celebration, and for many Americans, that means hitting the road. With nearly half of the populationContent Dam Insights Articles Us187627_cic Holiday Travel 2024 Deloitte Holiday Travel Study.pdf Www2.deloitte.com planning holiday trips this year, traffic is expected to surge, especially as more people opt for out-of-state or long-distance travel.  

But with busier highwaysTips Driving Traffic New Driver Blog and unpredictable winter weather, staying safe behind the wheel is more important than ever. Whether you’re driving across town or across the country, understanding the latest travel trends and staying ahead of safety risks can help you enjoy a stress-free holiday season.

Travel Trends for the 2024 Holidays

Travel is an important part of the season for many Americans. In 2024, people are expected to travel further distances and spend a bit more money to upgrade the experience. Let's take a look at some of the key trends happening this year.

Travel Is Becoming More of a Priority

This year, 49% of Americans are planning to travel for the holidays, a slight increase from 2023. What’s more interesting is how they’re traveling — many are planning multiple trips, and 28% are upping their travel budgets. Why the extra spending? About 40% say that travel has become more important to them this year. 

Many Americans Plan to Travel Out of State

Around 30% of people are planning trips for the December holidays. Of those travelers, 52% are heading out of stateHoliday Travel Preview Mapping Out The Key Trends Of 2024 Civicscience.com, while 31% are staying closer to home. Only a small group — 6% — are planning international trips this year. 

Preferred Modes of Transportation

Based on these numbers, we can expect some busy roads this season. Traveling by car is by far the most popular mode of holiday vacation transportation, with 70% saying they’ll drive to their destinations. Another 21% will travel by bus or train, and 31% of holiday travelers plan to fly.

Overall, this year’s holiday plans are pretty much in line with 2023, when many Americans also said they were planning to hop behind the wheel and drive out of state.

The Impact of Holiday Travel Trends

Having more people on the roads doesn’t just mean more cars. With heavy traffic comes stop-and-go conditions, along with drivers who are distractedWhat Distracted Driving Blog, stressed, and might be navigating unfamiliar areas.

About 33% of travelers are planning week-long vacations, up from 25% in 2023. While these longer trips are often exciting, they may also come with added risks. Long-distance driving can lead to fatigueNever Get Behind Wheel And Drive While Drowsy Or Drunk Blog, especially when traveling for hours without breaks. Add in winter weather challengesTips Driving In Winter And Snow Safe Driving like icy roads or snowstorms, and things can become downright treacherous. But, a bit of defensive drivingDefensive Driving Basics Safe Driving and some proactive safety tips can make all the difference.

Recommendations for Safe Holiday Travel

There's no arguing that driving during the holidays comes with unique challenges, but there's no need to worry. These tips will help you handle the season’s risks with confidence:

• Plan your route ahead of time: Use navigation apps or GPS to check for traffic, road closures, or weather alerts before heading out. Set up directions before you start driving to avoid distractions.

• Avoid driving while fatigued: Long-distance drivingLong Distance Driving Tips Blog can take a toll on your focus. Make sure you’re well-rested before hitting the road, and take breaks every 2-3 hours to stretch and recharge. If you’re feeling sleepy, don’t push through. Instead, swap drivers or find a place to rest.

• Prepare for winter weather: Check your vehicle’s tires, brakes, and windshield wipers before heading out. Carry an emergency kit33 Items You Should Include In Your Emergency Car Kit Blog with essentials like blankets, water, a flashlight, and jumper cables. Slow down on icy roadsDriving On Ice Tips How Not To Skid On Icy Roads Blog and increase your following distanceSafe Following Distance Safe Driving.

• Limit distractions: Keep your phone out of reach and set your music or playlist before driving. Remind passengers to help you stay focused by keeping noise levels low and handling navigation if needed.

• Drive defensively: Be alert for unpredictable drivers, especially in heavy traffic or unfamiliar areas. Watch for sudden stops and stay calm if other drivers are aggressiveAggressive Drivers And How To Avoid Them Safe Driving.

Safe Travels and Happy Holidays

The holiday season is all about making memories and spending time with the people who matter the most. Staying prepared and practicing smart driving habits can help you avoid headaches.

If you want to feel even more confident behind the wheel this season, consider Aceable’s online defensive driving courseDefensive Driving. It’s quick, easy, and designed to help you tackle driving challenges with ease. Plus, you might even score a discount on your car insuranceSafe Driving Insurance Discounts Blog.

This year, give yourself the gift of safe and stress-free travels. Plan ahead, drive smart, and make the most of every mile. Safe travels, and happy holidays from all of us at Aceable.