OKLAHOMA CITY – AAA projects 122.4 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home over the 13-day year-end holiday period beginning December 20 and ending January 1. This year’s forecast is a 2.2% increase over 2024, surpassing last year’s record of 119.7 million travelers.
More than 1.1 million Oklahomans will be traveling during the holidays, up 0.7% from last year. Nearly 93% of them, or 1 million, will drive to their destinations. More than 49,000 Oklahomans will travel by air, while another nearly 33,000 will go on cruises or travel by train or bus.
“Year-end travel is a mix of family road trips, friend getaways, and tropical vacations” said Stacey Barber, Vice President of AAA Travel. “Holiday celebrations look different for everyone, but a common thread is the desire to travel, whether it’s returning to your hometown or exploring new destinations.”
AAA projects 109.5 million Americans will travel by car for their year-end trips, an increase of 2% compared to last year. Driving is the overwhelming favorite among all modes of transportation because of its convenience and low cost. This year, 89% of holiday travelers nationally will take road trips.
Gas prices are lower compared to last holiday season when the national average was $3.04 to end 2024. For the first time in 4 years, the national average dropped below $3 a gallon this month, and prices could continue dropping as 2025 comes to a close. According to AAA’s Fuel Prices tracker (gasprices. aaa.com/), as of December 10th, the average gas price in Oklahoma is $2.37 which is the lowest in the nation.