Travel

Christmas And New Year’s Travel: When To Get Out Of Atlanta

Here is the worst time and route to drive in metro Atlanta this Christmas and New Year's season.

Amanda Lumpkin, Patch StaffVerified Patch Staff Badge
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Of the projected 119.3 million people traveling for the holidays this year, 107 million people are expected to drive, including in Georgia, AAA says.
Of the projected 119.3 million people traveling for the holidays this year, 107 million people are expected to drive, including in Georgia, AAA says. (Scott Anderson/Patch)

ATLANTA, GA — Georgia holiday travelers may want to stay off the roads around 1:45 p.m. on Dec. 22, when traffic is expected to be 38 percent more congested than usual, according to AAA’s 2024 Christmas and New Year’s travel forecast released Wednesday.

Of the projected 119.3 million people traveling for the holidays this year, 107 million people are expected to drive — up 2.5 from 2023, AAA said.

AAA worked with transportation data insights company INRIX to determine the best and worst times to get out of town for the 10-day holiday period. Sunday, Dec. 22, is expected to be the worst to be on the highway.

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The route from Atlanta to Augusta via Interstate 20 eastbound could be the most congested and has an estimated travel time of 2 hours and 54 minutes.

“With a near record number of auto travelers expected this holiday season, drivers should expect delays in and around major metro areas," INRIX transportation analyst Bob Pishue said in a news release. “Our advice is to avoid traveling during peak commuting hours during the week. If schedules allow, leave bright and early or after the evening commute.”

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Travelers may want to be mindful of gas prices as they head out of town. Currently, the average gas price in Georgia is $2.92 a gallon.

Overall, the best and worst times to travel are:

Thursday, Dec. 19

  • Best times: Before 11 a.m.
  • Worst times: 3-8 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 20

  • Best times: Before 11 a.m.
  • Worst times: 1-8 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 21

  • Best times: Before 2 p.m.
  • Worst times: 4-8 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 22

  • Best times: Before noon
  • Worst times: 3-8 p.m.

Monday, Dec. 23

  • Best times: Before 11 a.m.
  • Worst times: 1-6 p.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 24

  • Minimal Traffic Impact Expected

Wednesday, Dec. 25

  • Minimal Traffic Impact Expected

Thursday, Dec. 26

  • Best times: Before 11 a.m.
  • Worst times: 12-5 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 27

  • Best times: Before 2 p.m.
  • Worst times: 3-7 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 28

  • Best times: Before 11 p.m.
  • Worst times: 1:30-7 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 29

  • Best times: Before 11 p.m.
  • Worst times: noon-6 p.m.

Monday, Dec. 30

  • Best times: Before 2 p.m.
  • Worst times: 5-7 p.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 31

  • Minimal Traffic Impact Expected

Wednesday, Jan. 1

  • Minimal Traffic Impact Expected

Thursday, Jan. 2

  • Best times: Before 3 p.m.
  • Worst times: 4-8 p.m.

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