AAA Texas: 9.4 Million Texans to Travel Over Year-End Holidays
| Nearly 93% of Texans will take road trips |
AAA projects 9.4 million Texans will travel at least 50 miles from home during the year-end holiday travel period. This year’s forecast is a 1.7% increase over 2024 for the Lone Star State, surpassing last year’s volume of 9.2 million Texas travelers. This year’s total travel volume in Texas will be slightly under the record 9.5 million people that traveled during the 2019 year-end holiday period.  |
Nationally, AAA expects 122.4 million Americans to travel for the year-end holidays—also the busiest on record—with 2.7 million more travelers than last year. The 13-day year-end holiday period runs from Saturday, Dec. 20 to Thursday, Jan 1.
“Year-end travel brings together everything from family road trips and friends’ getaways to tropical escapes,” said Galen Grillo, AAA Texas Vice President and General Manager. “Each household celebrates the season differently, but the common thread is a shared desire to travel—whether heading home or discovering someplace new.”
Travel by Car
- AAA projects 109.5 million Americans will drive, including 8.7 million Texans which is 92.6% of total travel volume.
- Safety reminder: December is National Impaired Driving Prevention Month which serves as a timely reminder to make safe choices and stay vigilant. AAA and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) encourage travelers to plan safe rides home this holiday season during one of the most dangerous times of year on the road.
Travel by Air
- 8 million Americans, including 411,000 Texans, are expected to fly—a 2.3% increase over 2024.
- According to AAA data, which is based on what travelers paid when they booked their holiday trips, a roundtrip domestic flight is 7% more expensive this year, averaging nearly $900 a ticket.
Gas Prices
Gas prices are lower compared to last holiday season when the national average was $3.04 and the Texas average was $2.63 to end 2024. For the first time in four years, the national average dropped below $3 a gallon this month, and prices could continue dropping as 2025 comes to a close.
Top Year-End Destinations
Texans are flocking to Austin, Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio, and the Hill Country, while AAA booking data shows these top domestic and international picks:
| RANKING | DOMESTIC | INTERNATIONAL/CARIBBEAN |
| 1 | ORLANDO | CANCUN, MEXICO |
| 2 | FORT LAUDERDALE | PUNTA CANA, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC |
| 3 | MIAMI | COZUMEL, MEXICO |
| 4 | ANAHEIM/LA | SAN JOSE, COSTA RICA |
| 5 | HONOLULU | PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO |
| 6 | TAMPA | SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO |
| 7 | NEW YORK CITY | NASSAU, BAHAMAS |
| 8 | MAUI | ROME, ITALY |
| 9 | DALLAS/FORT WORTH | ORANJESTAD, ARUBA |
| 10 | LAS VEGAS | SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA |
Travel Tips
- Road trips: Check tires, battery, and maintenance before hitting the road. AAA expects 40,000 roadside assistance calls in Texas this holiday. Find a AAA-Approved Auto Repair shop at AAA.com/AAR.
- Air Travel: This will be the first time on record that the number of U.S. domestic air travelers over the year-end holiday period exceeds 8 million. Book parking, check in online, and allow extra time at airports.
Traffic Outlook
Interstates will be extra congested the weekend before Christmas, as travelers hit the road on Saturday and Sunday ahead of the holiday. Friday, December 26 is also expected to be busy as travelers make moves post-Christmas Day. Because the year-end holiday travel period spans a longer time frame, travelers have more options for departures and returns. The holidays themselves – Christmas and New Year’s Day – are typically the lightest traffic-wise but remember crashes or severe weather could create unexpected delays.
About AAA
Founded in 1902, AAA is one of North America’s largest membership organizations, serving 65 million members with roadside assistance, travel, discounts, financial, and insurance services. Learn more at AAA.com and follow us on Instagram and Facebook @aaaautoclubenterprises.