AAA projects 94.5 million Americans (more than 3.5 million Ohioans), will travel 50 miles or more from home during this year-end holiday period, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2013 to Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2014. This is an increase of 0.6 percent (0.4 percent for Ohio) from last year.
The year-end holiday travel period is the most traveled holiday period, mainly because it’s typically the longest. This year, it spans 12 days and covers two weekends.
This travel period is also the least volatile of all travel holidays, as travelers do not typically let economic conditions or high gas prices dictate if they go home for the holidays. However, year-end holiday travel numbers did experience a decline when the recession hit, to 85.7 million travelers (just under 3.3 million Ohioans) in 2008/2009.
Year-end travel numbers have gradually improved with the economy over the past few years. Nationally, this year’s numbers will be the highest in the past decade, with nearly 30 percent of all Americans traveling this holiday.
“While economic growth has stagnated and consumer confidence has fallen, Americans will not be scrooges when it comes to traveling this year,” said AAA Chief Operating Officer Marshall L. Doney.
Automobile travel remains the number one form of transportation this holiday period due to its flexibility, convenience and relative affordability. AAA expects 85.8 million Americans (3.23 million Ohioans) to drive to their destination. This is an increase of 0.9 percent nationally (0.6 percent in Ohio).
Air travel is expected to decline 1.4 percent (1.7 percent in Ohio) this holiday, as 5.53 million Americans (192,200 Ohioans) take to the skies.
Gasoline prices hit a multi-year low of $3.18 per gallon nationally ($3.06 per gallon in Ohio) on Nov. 12. AAA expects most drivers will continue to pay less than a year ago to fill up during the holiday season due to healthy supplies and increased refinery production.
With most people driving to their destinations this holiday, AAA expects to assist more than 3.76 million stranded drivers nationally, including more than 16,000 in the Ohio Auto Club’s 38-county territory, between Dec. 21 and Jan. 1.These numbers could be even higher if winter storms or bitter cold temperatures impact holiday travel.
Top calls during the year-end holiday travel period typically include dead batteries, flat tires and lockouts. Drivers should check battery and tire condition and prepare vehicles for winter driving before hitting the road for their holiday getaway.
While packing the car for the holiday trip, motorists should remember to pack a roadside assistance kit that includes:
- Jumper cables
- Blankets and extra clothes to stay warm
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- Ice scraper
- Safety flares or reflectors
- Shovel
- First aid kit
- Water and non-perishable food
- Cellular phone and charger to call for help
AAA’s projections are based on economic forecasting and research by IHS Global Insight. The Boston-based economic research and consulting firm teamed up with AAA in 2009 to jointly analyze travel trends during the major holidays. AAA has been reporting on holiday travel trends for more than two decades. The complete AAA/IHS Global Insight 2013/2014 Year-end Holiday Travel Forecast can be found at NewsRoom.AAA.com.
AAA clubs can be visited online at AAA.com.
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