Best, Worst Times To Get Out Of NoVA For Christmas, New Year's Travel

NORTHERN VIRGINIA — This year, more than 100 million Americans — including an estimated 2.5 million Washington-metro area residents — are expected to take to the roads to reach their holiday destinations, according to AAA Mid-Atlantic.

Experts recommend planning ahead to avoid sitting in slow-moving traffic on the busiest travel days of the year.

AAA Mid-Atlantic estimates those DC and Northern Virginia drivers will travel 50 miles or more away from home over the end-of-year holiday travel period, an increase of 2.5 percent compared to 2021 actual travel. AAA defines the year-end travel period from Dec. 23 to Jan.2.

“This year, travel time will be extended due to Christmas Day and New Year’s Day falling on Sundays,” says Ragina C. Ali, public and government affairs manager for AAA Mid-Atlantic in Maryland and Washington, D.C. “With hybrid work schedules, we are seeing more people take long weekends to travel because they can work remotely at their destination and be more flexible with the days they depart and return.”

The auto club said in its winter holiday travel prediction that holiday travel should be essentially flat compared to last year, with less than a 1 percent increase.

“The good news is that drivers will definitely be seeing the cheapest gas prices of the year, with the national and D.C. metro prices trending about 10 cents less than year ago prices,” says Ali.

In fact, gas prices nationally and locally have not been this low since October 2021. The national average on Dec. 15 was $3.19, compared to $3.31 a year ago. Washington, D.C. metro prices were $3.24 compared to $3.34 the same time last year.

“The seasonal pattern of less driving due to shorter days, combined with lower oil costs, has been driving gas prices lower,” Ali adds. “If this trend continues, many states could see their average prices below $3 a gallon by early next year.”

Best/Worst Times to Travel

INRIX, a transportation analysis company, believes that Dec. 23, 27, 28, and Jan. 2 will be the busiest days on American roads. Experts believe holiday travelers will be delayed by regular commuters.

Bob Pishue is a transportation analyst with INRIX. "With pre-pandemic levels of travelers hitting the road this holiday, drivers must be prepared for delays in and around major metro areas, with Tuesday, December 27 expected to be the nation’s worst day to travel,” Pishue said in a AAA news release. “Our advice is to avoid traveling during peak commuting hours. If schedules allow, leave bright and early or after the afternoon commute.”

Here are the best and worst times to travel in the coming weeks, according to AAA:

• Dec. 23, 2022
  • Best time to travel: Before 2 p.m. or after 8 p.m.
  • Worst time to travel: From 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Dec. 24, 2022
  • Best time to travel: Before 11 a.m. or after 7 p.m.
  • Worst time to travel: From 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• Dec. 25, 2022
  • Experts expect minimal delays on Christmas Day.
• Dec. 26, 2022
  • Best time to travel: Before 12 p.m. or after 7 p.m.
  • Worst time to travel: Between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.
• Dec. 27, 2022
  • Best time to travel: Before 2 p.m. or after 8 p.m.
  • Worst time to travel: From 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
• Dec. 28, 2022
  • Best time to travel: Before 2 p.m. or after 8 p.m.
  • Worst time to travel: From 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
• Dec. 29, 2022
  • Best time to travel: Before 2 p.m. or after 8 p.m.
  • Worst time to travel: From 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
• Dec. 30, 2022
  • Best time to travel: Before 2 p.m. or after 8 p.m.
  • Worst time to travel: From 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
• Dec. 31, 2022
  • Experts expect minimal delays.
• Jan. 1, 2023
  • Experts expect minimal delays
• Jan. 2, 2023
  • Best time to travel: Before 3 p.m. or after 8 p.m.
  • Worst time to travel: From 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

In its forecast, AAA experts also noted the problem areas to watch out for in major metropolitan areas. In the D.C. area, the largest delays are expected on I-95 South from MD 212 to Central Avenue from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Dec. 27.

Here are the potential congestion areas in our region:

• I-95 South from exit 170A to exit 160
  • Congestion will peak on Dec. 29.
• I-95 South from exit 29B to exit 15
  • Congestion will peak on Dec. 27.
• I-495 counterclockwise, exit 27 to exit 45
  • Congestion will peak on Dec. 26.
• I-270 East, exit 1 to exit 32
  • Congestion will peak on Jan. 2.
• I-95 North, exit 170A to exit 22A
  • Congestion will peak on Dec. 27.

In addition to increased cars on the roads, AAA predicts that more travelers will take to the skies this year. AAA predicts that 7,170,000 people will take a plane this holiday season, a 14 percent increase over last year.

"Flights and airports will be packed this holiday season, reminiscent of pre-pandemic days," AAA said in a news release. "Demand for flights has surged despite higher airline ticket prices."

Experts recommend leaving for the airport early to allow for delays at TSA security lines. Travelers can also avoid checking a bag if they want more flexibility in case of delayed, cancelled, or redirected flights.