Overview
- AAA expects about 109.5 million people to drive, with traffic peaking 1–7 p.m. on key days and lighter volumes on Dec. 24–25 and Dec. 31–Jan. 1.
- Air travel is set to break records with about 8.03 million domestic flyers, as Airlines for America projects an average of 2.9 million passengers per day through Jan. 5 and roundtrip fares near $900.
- TSA says it will screen more than 44 million travelers through Jan. 4 and urges early arrivals, REAL ID readiness and leaving gifts unwrapped for security.
- The Port Authority forecasts 14.8 million travelers across New York–New Jersey airports and crossings, including 5.7 million airport passengers, and advises using mass transit as JFK construction and selected lane closures persist.
- Forecasters warn of a wintry mix in parts of the Northeast and New England that could trigger delays, while drivers benefit from national gas prices around $2.85 per gallon.