Holiday Travel 2017: Worst Times To Travel In Charlotte Region

CHARLOTTE, NC — If you're planning to hit the highways this holiday season, and are hoping to avoid headaches, AAA auto club has some good advice on when not to do it.

In the Charlotte-metro area, the worst day to drive will be Thursday, Dec. 21, and the worst time to be behind the wheel will be from 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., according to AAA Carolinas spokesperson Tiffany Wright.

Travel times during that period could be as much as one and a half times longer than normal, according to AAA.

AAA predicts that 4.5 million Carolinians will travel by car, planes and trains this holiday season, breaking a record and representing a more than 3 percent increase over last year’s travel numbers. Most of those travelers in North Carolina and South Carolina will be driving.

The auto club is expecting a record number of Americans to travel during the year-end holiday period. Some 107 million Americans will hit the roads, air and tracks heading to their destinations, the group said in its report.

"Higher prices at the gas pumps are not preventing Carolinians from getting behind the wheel to visit with family and friends," said Dave Parsons, president and CEO of AAA Carolinas. "With record numbers on the road, we want to remind everyone to buckle up, never drink and drive, eliminate distractions and exercise patience to help prevent road rage."

Gas prices will be higher this year, with the average gallon of gas priced at $2.31, which is 13 cents higher than last year. In South Carolina, which has the lowest priced gas in the U.S., the average gallon is priced at $2.16, compared to $2.03 during the 2016 holiday travel period.

If you’re one of the nearly 3 million North Carolina drivers hitting the road this holiday, AAA offers the following holiday road survival tips:

• Map your route in advance and be prepared for busy roads.
• Keep valuables in the trunk or covered storage area.
• Have your roadside assistance contact information on hand in case an incident occurs on the road.
• Keep a cell phone and charger with you at all times, in case of emergency.
• Obey traffic safety laws: Wear your seatbelt. Don't speed. Don't drink and drive. Eliminate distractions behind the wheel, such as mobile devices. Disconnect and drive.
• Before hitting the road, make sure your vehicle is road-trip ready. Stop by a trusted repair shop for an inspection.

Almost 200,000 North Carolinians are expected to fly this holiday, with many headed to vacations in warmer destinations.

Here’s the top year-end holiday destinations, based on AAA Carolinas traveling bookings:

• Florida
• Western Caribbean Cruise
• Eastern Caribbean Cruise
• Bahamas
• California
• Dominican Republic
• New York City
• North Carolinas
• Jamaica
• Las Vegas

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