More than 103 million Americans—the most on record—are expected to travel for the year-end holidays, according to AAA. This represents a 1.5 percent increase, or 1.5 million more people traveling, compared with last year. This comes despite one fewer travel day this holiday season. The year-end holiday travel period is defined as Friday, December 23 to Monday, January 2, 2017.
Most travelers will drive this holiday season The vast majority of travelers—93.6 million people—will take a holiday road trip, an increase of 1.5 percent over last year. Air travel is expected to increase by 2.5 percent, with more than 6 million Americans flying to their holiday destinations. Travel by other modes of transportation, including cruises, trains and buses, will decrease slightly, to 3.5 million travelers.
New Year’s gas prices second-cheapest in nearly a decade AAA estimates U.S. drivers have saved more than $27 billion at the gas pumps so far this year compared to the same period last year. Today’s national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $2.23, 23 cents more than the average price on New Year’s Day 2016 ($2.00). Most U.S. drivers will pay the second-cheapest New Year’s Day gas prices since 2009, when the national average was $1.62.
So with all these cars on the roads what can you do to stay SAFE and SANE!?!?!
- Leave plenty of time
- Don’t tailgate
- Have an Emergency Car Kit
- Have water and snacks on hand
- Get plenty of Sleep
- Wrap up warm and bring extra warm clothes for everyone riding in the car
- Make sure kids are entertained, weather it be good old fashioned car games or a tablet, a cranky child can ruin a road trip!
- Manage Stress
- DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE
- Make sure your car is full of gas and has had all maintenance
So have fun this holiday season, and as always Drive Safe!