Here Are the Best and Worst Times to Travel for the 2021 Holidays

Travel is expected to nearly be back to pre-pandemic levels for the 2021 holiday season, and millions of Americans are expected to cram into the nation’s highways and airports as they set off for this holiday destinations.

AAA predicts that air travel will be up 184% over the same time period in 2021. Travel overall, including air travel and driving, is projected to go up 34% over 2020.

Masks are currently required inside and on the planes at airports. According to AAA, airlines will carry more than 6 million passengers for the 2021 holiday season. That’s nearly triple last year’s number. Masks are also required on trains, and other forms of U.S. public transportation, as well as within transportation hubs.

Based on AAA booking data through October 2021, domestically, theme-park-heavy spots such as Orlando, Florida, and Anaheim, California, are Americans’ most popular travel destinations this season. Other popular cities include Las Vegas, New York City and a handful of other Florida cities.

If you’re heading out on the highway or flying this holiday season, you’ll likely want to avoid the most congested time periods. By far, the least congested days for travel are Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

Across the U.S., here are the best and worst times to travel over Christmas and New Year’s, according to AAA

Best and Worst Times to Travel Over Christmas and New Year’s (via AAA):

Dec. 24
Worst travel time: 2-6 p.m.
Best travel time: Before 1 p.m.

Dec. 25
Minimal congestion expected.

Dec. 26
Worst travel time: 1-7 p.m.
Best travel time: Before noon.

Dec. 27
Worst travel time: 5-6 p.m.
Best travel time: Before 1 p.m.

Dec. 28
Worst travel time: 1-7 p.m.
Best travel time: Before noon.

Dec. 29
Worst travel time: 1-7 p.m.
Best travel time: Before 11 a.m.

Dec. 30
Worst travel time: 1-7 p.m.
Best travel time: Before noon.

Dec. 31
Worst travel time: 2-4 p.m.
Best travel time: Before 1 p.m.; after 5 p.m.

Jan. 1
Minimal congestion expected

Jan. 2
Worst travel time: 2-6 p.m.
Best travel time: Before 1 p.m.