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AAA releases the best of worst times to travel this holiday season

End of the year holiday travel starts on Saturday Dec. 20 when the worst time to travel is from noon to 8 p.m., best to leave after 9 p.m. according to AAA.

Lauren Due

Dec 10, 2025, 12:37 PM

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AAA is expecting a record 122.4 million Americans to travel from Dec. 20 to the new year - about a 2% increase from last year.

A total of 89% by car, 7% by plane and 4% by either by bus, train or cruise.

End of the year holiday travel starts on Saturday Dec. 20 when the worst time to travel is from noon to 8 p.m., best to leave after 9 p.m. according to AAA.

Dec. 21, 22, and 23 are expected to be busy from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m., leave in morning if you can.

Minimal traffic impact expected on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

On Dec. 26, 27, and 28, the worst time to travel is from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., leave before 11 a.m.

Dec. 29 and 30 are expected to be busy from noon until 7 p.m. or 8 p.m., leave before 10 a.m.

Minimal traffic expected on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.

Gas prices are down, the national average is below $3 a gallon for the first time in 4 years.

Just a reminder, New Jersey's gas tax goes up by 4.2 cents per gallon beginning Jan. 1.

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