According to AAA, December is the most popular time to travel in the United States, with more than 119.3 million Americans boarding planes, planning road trips, and boarding buses to visit vacation destinations or their families annually. With all these travelers hitting the road and tarmac, finding the best time to travel in December can be challenging if you don’t pick your days carefully.
The best time to travel in December is on a weekday between the 4th and the 14th. The lowest traffic days are on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, but the days following and leading up to these holidays have heavy traffic with some risk of icy road conditions.
If you plan to travel in December, you’ll need to know the best days and times to hit the road to avoid ice, crowds, road closures, and high-volume traffic. So, let’s break down the month by each day and figure out which days are the best for traveling by car or plane.
Best Time to Travel by Car
The best time to travel by car in December is in the first two weeks of the month due to warmer weather conditions and reduced chances of traffic congestion. In the days leading up to Christmas, traffic steadily increases. Late December has consistently medium to high levels of highway congestion.
Special Tip: December Travel Gadget
When we travel we always bring a portable espresso machine, especially in the winter months. These little machines produce authentic and high-quality expresso, regardless of where you are! This is also the perfect gift for espresso lovers!
Now, let’s break down December into three parts and discuss the best and worst times to drive during these periods:
Early December (First Week)
- Best Days To Travel in Early December: Dec. 4 to 14
- Worst Days to Travel in Early December: Dec. 1 and 2, Weekends
According to travel agents from AAA, early December is the best time to travel during the month. The first week of the month is warmer, reducing the chances of icy road conditions, and it’s also a less popular time to travel, which creates less traffic.
However, avoid traveling on December 1st or 2nd, especially if the 1st falls on the Sunday after Thanksgiving. These days are a popular time for people to travel home after Thanksgiving, and you can expect the traffic to be worse on these days than the traffic in late December before Christmas.
Instead, opt for a weekday that falls between the 4th and 14th for the lightest traffic and the best weather conditions.
Mid-December (Second Week/Third Week / Until Around Dec. 22)
- Best Days To Travel in Mid-December: Mondays and Tuesdays between Dec. 14 and 20
- Worst Days to Travel in Mid-December: Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays between Dec. 15 and 20
Mid-December is a better time to travel by car than late December. Still, you may experience an influx of traffic between the 15th and 19th as colleges and schools begin their winter break. Weather conditions in the middle of the month are also more inclement than in early December.
Since most traffic will be around college towns and cities with universities during mid-December, plan to drive through these areas on a Monday or Tuesday to avoid traffic. Most colleges end the semester in the afternoon on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, when students will hit the roads to go home for the break.
Late December (From Dec. 23 to early January)
- Best Days To Travel in Late December: Dec. 24, 25, 29, and Jan. 1
- Worst Days to Travel in Late December: Dec. 23, 26, 27, 28
Believe it or not, the best time to travel by car in late December is on Christmas Day. By the time the holiday hits, most people have already made it to their destinations and are celebrating the holiday, and most businesses will be closed, so you won’t see much traffic on the 25th.
However, traveling on Christmas Day only works if your destination is less than a few hours’ drive from your residence.
For people who want to avoid driving on Christmas Day, opt for the 21st, 22nd, or 24th. Avoid traveling by car on the 23rd since it is the most popular day for highway travel.
After Christmas Day, you should also avoid traveling on the 26th, 27th, and 28th, as most people travel on these days to get back home.
Best Time to Travel by Car Around Christmas and New Year’s Day
The best time to travel by car around Christmas Day is December 20 and 25. The 21st, 22nd, and 24th are decent driving days, but you may run into traffic congestion in urban areas.
The best time to travel by car around New Year’s Day is December 30 or January 1. You can expect some traffic these days, especially during rush hour after 4 PM and evenings, but the weather conditions are commonly favorable.
So, when should you plan to hit the road for the holidays? Let’s get into the details and discuss the average traffic and weather risks of driving between December 20 and January 2:
Best and Worst Days to Travel
Based on statistics from the technicians over at INRIX and reported statistics from AAA, INRIX, and the National Weather Service, see the table above for the conditions you should expect when traveling by car between December 20 and January 2
💡 Weather conditions can be unpredictable and might change quickly. Check the forecast and do not drive in severe weather conditions! Prepare yourself for surprise whiteout road conditions and always carry a roadside emergency kit (via Amazon) in your car!
Find details for each day with more helpful tips below:
December 20
- Great Day/Low Traffic
December 20 is one of the best days to travel before Christmas, as the traffic levels are generally low. However, average weather reports in the northern USA indicate that icy road conditions are common on the 20th, so it’s best to avoid driving after dark on this day.
December 21
- Great Day/ Moderate Traffic/Some Ice Risk
December 21 is when the traffic gets a bit more congested leading up to Christmas Day, but it’s still a great day to travel. Try to drive in the morning and afternoon to avoid rush-hour traffic and icy conditions.
December 22
- Great Day/Moderate Traffic/Low Ice Risk
The 22nd is another fantastic day to travel, with the average temperatures in Seattle, NYC, Boston, and Gaylord, MI rising above freezing during the daytime for clear roads. Congestion will be higher on interstates when passing through major cities during rush hour, but otherwise, expect light to medium-heavy traffic.
December 23
- Not Recommended/ Congested Traffic/Moderate Ice Risk
The 23rd is usually one of the worst days to travel leading up to Christmas due to heavy traffic during the day and higher chances of icy roads after dark. If there is any day to avoid traveling, it is the 23rd. However, if you must drive on the 23rd, try to head out the door right after sunrise when everyone else is still asleep.
December 24
- Conditions Good In the Morning/ Congested Traffic After Noon/Ice Risk
Few people drive during the morning of Christmas Eve since it’s everyone’s day off, and most people only start traveling in the afternoon. So, to get ahead of the traffic, head out in the morning and stop driving by 1 PM. Traffic may slow down after 6 or 7 PM, so nighttime is also a suitable time, but the roads may become icy if you’re in the north.
December 25
- Great Day/No Traffic
It is better to drive on Christmas Day than on Christmas Eve. Most people are at home on Christmas Day, and most businesses are closed, so traffic is very light. In addition, weather conditions are generally favorable for travel on Christmas Day in the Northern USA.
December 26
- Little Traffic In the Morning/ Congested Traffic in the Evening
Traffic becomes heavier on the afternoon of December 26. So, if you are in a hurry to get home, hit the road in the morning before anyone else has woken up. The roads should be very clear. However, the traffic will become heavy as soon as the afternoon hits, and it will stay pretty congested throughout the 27th and 28th.
December 27
- Very Congested Traffic/Moderate Risk of Unsafe Weather
December 27 is a high-traffic day with medium chances of icy road conditions, so it’s not a great day to travel. Try to hit the road in the morning and stop before 1 PM to beat the traffic. Avoid driving between 1 PM and 6 PM when everyone’s heading home after work.
December 28
- Very Congested Traffic/Low Risk of Unsafe Weather
Driving conditions on the 28th are much like those of the 27th, with most people still driving home after the holiday. Heading out in the morning is your best bet for speedy travel, but nighttime is also suitable, especially considering there’s a lower risk of icy roads.
December 29
- Moderate Traffic/Low Weather Risk
December 29 is the best day to travel around New Year’s Eve since the traffic is only moderate and the weather conditions are usually favorable for a road trip. However, by the 30th, traffic becomes much heavier.
December 30
- Heavy Congested Traffic/Low Chances of Inclement Weather
December 30 is a high-traffic day with low snow risk. It’s not the worst day to travel, but expect congestion in urban areas and on interstates since most people who travel for New Year’s eve will be on the road.
In addition, avoid driving between 1 PM and 7 PM, especially if the 30th falls on a Friday or Saturday since 1 PM-7 PM is when most people start their trip.
December 31
- Heavy Congested Traffic/Safety Risks after 1 PM
Driving on New Year’s Eve can be dangerous since the traffic levels are very high. It is hazardous to travel at night on December 31 due to the added risk of icy roads and drunk drivers. For the safest trip, plan to drive only on the morning of the 31st.
January 1
- Great Day/No Traffic
New Year’s is a great time to drive since most businesses are closed, and you’ll mostly see other travelers and truck drivers on the highways and interstates. Still, traffic may be congested when passing through urban areas, but otherwise, it should be smooth sailing.
January 2
- Heavy Congested Traffic/High Risk of Icy Roads
January 2 is the last high-traffic day surrounding New Year’s, but the traffic can be very heavy, especially if the 2nd is on a Sunday and everyone’s racing home to get to work for the week.
However, if the 2nd is on a weekday, you can expect higher-than-average rush-hour traffic from 2 PM to 6 PM. There’s also a relatively high risk of icy road conditions, so try to avoid traveling at night on the 2nd.
Extra Tip: Is It Dangerous to Drive on New Year’s Eve?
Driving on New Year’s Eve is dangerous since the traffic is usually very congested, drunk drivers are common in the evening, and road conditions may be icy. Avoid driving between 2 PM and 4 PM or after dark to stay safe. The best time to travel on the 31st is in the morning.
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Best Time to Travel by Plane | For Christmas and New Year’s Day
According to The US Bureau of Transportation Statistics, between 78.6 million and 68.1 million people travel by plane every December, so beating the crowds can be challenging. However, choosing less-trafficked days for your flight will help you get from point A to point B in a jiffy.
The best time to travel in December by plane for Christmas is December 19th, 20th, or Christmas Day, according to AAA travel agents. It’s better to fly on Christmas Day than Christmas Eve since most people avoid traveling on Christmas Day, making for short lines and plenty of tickets.
The best time to travel in December by plane for New Year’s Day is on the 25th or 29th of December. Christmas Day is an excellent day for travel since most people are at home celebrating the holiday, but the 29th is the least popular day for travel between Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve.