Record Holiday Travel Expected Through New Year's Day

SEATTLE, WA — A record 115.6 million people will travel between Saturday, Dec. 21 and New Year's Day, according to projections by AAA. That number is the highest seen since the company began tracking holiday week travel in 2000, and a jump of more than 4 million compared to last year. AAA says the vast majority of those trips will be on our nation's roadways.

Inrix, a Kirkland-based traffic analytics company, predicts the worst day for travel by car in the Seattle area is Friday, Dec. 27. Peak congestion levels were estimated between 4:15 p.m. and 6:15 p.m.

At Sea-Tac Airport, the busiest days are already behind us. The airport expected more than 163,000 passengers would travel through the airport Friday. The Port of Seattle projected the next busiest days would be Monday, Dec. 23 and Thursday, Dec. 26. Sea-Tac said the airport expects to set a record for yearly travelers this year, topping 50 million by New Year's Day. Airport officials advise travelers to download their updated app for live checkpoint wait times and interactive maps.

Washington State Ferries are also prepared for larger-than-usual crowds over holiday week. Between Friday, Dec. 20 and Monday, Dec. 30, Ferries expects 700,000 guests and some lengthy wait times. According to WSDOT, delays for drive-on travelers may be longest on the Edmonds/Kingston route, since a smaller boat will be in service. Transportation officials said wait times of an hour or more were likely at the Edmonds, Kingston, Mukilteo, Clinton, Fauntleroy, Seattle and Bainbridge terminals The easiest trips are expected on Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

Passengers can sign up for ferry alerts or check current terminal wait times on the Ferries website.