Holiday Travel: One Of Biggest Traffic Jams In U.S. Will Be Wednesday Evening (Dec. 23) On I-290 West – Kanecountyconnects.com

According to the annual AAA story on holiday travel, one of the worst traffic jams in the country will be Wednesday rush hour on I-290 west.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance. It’s essential to know requirements and recommendations based on your vaccination status, where you’re traveling from and your destination.

AAA’s COVID-19 Travel Restrictions Map helps travelers understand closures, recommendations and requirements when traveling in the U.S. In addition, the CDC has an interactive map with recommendations and information about restrictions for international travel.

With specific exceptions, noncitizens who have been in certain countries during the past 14 days may not enter the United States, either as immigrants or nonimmigrants. For more information, visit Travelers Prohibited from Entry to the United States.

Masks are still required for everyone on planes, buses, trains, and other forms of U.S. public transportation and within transportation hubs such as airports and stations. The CDC also recommends everyone wear a mask indoors in public places in an area of substantial or high transmission.

100 Million on The Roads, 6 Million in The Skies

2021 Year-end holiday travelers compared to previous years

Total Automobile Air Other (bus, train, cruise) 2021 Forecast 109.5 M 100.1 M 6.4 M 2.9 M 2020 Actual 81.7 M 78.5 M 2.3 M 0.98 M 2019 Actual 119.3 M 108 M 7.33 M 3.89 M Change (2019 to 2021) −8.2% −7.3% −12.6% −24.8% Change (2020 to 2021) 33.9% 27.6% 184% 198.7%

Theme parks, beaches and Vegas are popular destinations

AAA booking data through October shows that domestically, theme-park-heavy destinations like Orlando, Florida, and Anaheim, California, top the list of popular travel spots. Las Vegas, New York City and several other Florida cities also rank high.

U.S. destinations

Orlando, FL

Anaheim, CA

Las Vegas, NV

New York, NY; Kahului, Maui, HI (tie)

Honolulu, HI

Miami, FL

Fort Lauderdale, FL

Tampa, FL

Phoenix, AZ

San Diego, CA

Higher Prices This Holiday Season

Worst Corridors and Times to Travel

Metro Area Corridor Peak Congestion % Over Normal Atlanta I-85 South; Clairmont Rd to MLK Jr Dr 1/2/22, 3:45–5:45pm 198% Boston I-93 North; Quincy Market to MA-28 12/23/21, 1:45–3:45pm 155% Chicago I-290 West; Morgan St to Wolf Rd 12/23/21, 3:30–5:30pm 240% Detroit US-23 North; 8 Mile Rd to I-96 12/23/21, 9:45–11:45am 209% Houston I-10 West; Sjolander to TX-330 1/2/22, 5:00–7:00pm 195% Los Angeles I-405 South; Sunset Blvd to I-105 1/2/22, 5:30–7:30pm 194% New York I-278 South; I-495 to 3rd Ave 12/27/21, 4:30–6:30pm 358% San Francisco I-80 North; I-580 to San Pablo Dam Rd 12/23/21, 5:30–7:30pm 166% Seattle I-5 South; WA-18 to WA-7 12/28/21, 4:45–6:45pm 215% Washington DC I-95 South; I-395 to VA-123 12/27/21, 9:30–11:30am 270% Source: INRIX

Daily Worst and Best Times to Travel
Date	Worst travel time	Best travel time
12/23/21	12:00–6:00pm	After 7:00pm
12/24/21	2:00–6:00pm	Before 1:00pm
12/25/21	Minimal congestion expected
12/26/21	1:00–7:00pm	Before 12:00pm
12/27/21	5:00–6:00pm	Before 1:00pm
12/28/21	1:00–7:00pm	Before 12:00pm
12/29/21	1:00–7:00pm	Before 11:00am
12/30/21	1:00–7:00pm	Before 12:00pm
12/31/21	2:00–4:00pm	Before 1:00pm, after 5:00pm
1/1/22	Minimal congestion expected
1/2/22	2:00–6:00pm	Before 1:00pm
		Source: INRIX

Forecasted numbers may change

AAA notes that the actual number of travelers could fluctuate as we approach the holidays. Some people may decide to stay home if there is an increase in reported COVID-19 cases or because of concerns about the omicron variant, while others may note the progress in vaccinations and make last-minute decisions to travel.

AAA recommends working with a travel advisor who can help you plan a vacation that meets your needs and comfort level this holiday season. To get started and to learn more, visit AAA.com/Travel.

SOURCE: AAA news release