Best, Worst Times To Get Out Of MD For Christmas, New Year's Travel

MARYLAND — Gas prices are the lowest since October 2021, a holiday gift to the 2.2 million Marylanders who will be driving 50 miles or more for the Christmas and New Year's holidays.

This year, more than 100 million Americans are expected to fill the roads to reach their holiday destinations, according to AAA Mid-Atlantic. Experts recommend planning ahead to avoid traffic on the busiest travel days of the year.

The number of overall travelers for the year-end holidays is essentially flat compared to last year, with just a 1 percent increase. AAA defines the year-end travel period from Dec.23 to Jan. 2.

“This year, travel time will be extended due to Christmas Day and New Year’s Day falling on Sundays,” says Ragina C. Ali, public and government affairs manager for AAA Mid-Atlantic in Maryland and Washington, D.C. “With hybrid work schedules, we are seeing more people take long weekends to travel because they can work remotely at their destination and be more flexible with the days they depart and return.”

Gas Prices are Falling Fast

Holiday road trippers are getting the early gift of plunging prices at the pump, and prices should get even cheaper as we approach the holidays.

On Friday, the average price for gasoline in Maryland was $3.19 per gallon, according to AAA. That’s 13 cents per gallon less than a year ago. Visit Gasprices.AAA.com to view daily gas prices.

“The good news is that drivers will definitely be seeing the cheapest gas prices of the year, with national and Maryland prices trending about 10 cents less than year ago prices,” says Ali.

In fact, gas prices nationally and locally have not been this low since October 2021. The national average on Thursday was $3.19, compared to $3.31 a year ago. Maryland’s state-wide average was $3.22 compared to $3.32 the same time last year.

Consistent with most travel holidays, more than 90 percent of travelers – or more than 2 million Maryland travelers — will be driving to their holiday destinations. Like overall travel volume in the state, the number of road travelers is also flat compared to last year.

“The seasonal pattern of less driving due to shorter days, combined with lower oil costs, has been driving gas prices lower,” Ali adds. “If this trend continues, many states could see their average prices below $3 a gallon by early next year.”

Best & Worst Times to Travel by Car

INRIX, a transportation analysis company, believes that Dec. 23, 27, 28, and Jan. 2 will be the busiest days on American roads. Experts believe holiday travelers will be delayed by regular commuters.

Bob Pishue is a transportation analyst with INRIX. "With pre-pandemic levels of travelers hitting the road this holiday, drivers must be prepared for delays in and around major metro areas, with Tuesday, December 27 expected to be the nation’s worst day to travel,” Pishue said in a AAA news release. “Our advice is to avoid traveling during peak commuting hours. If schedules allow, leave bright and early or after the afternoon commute.”

Here are the best and worst times to travel in the coming weeks, according to AAA:

• Dec. 23, 2022
  • Best time to travel: Before 2 p.m. or after 8 p.m.
  • Worst time to travel: From 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Dec. 24, 2022
  • Best time to travel: Before 11 a.m. or after 7 p.m.
  • Worst time to travel: From 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• Dec. 25, 2022
  • Experts expect minimal delays on Christmas Day.
• Dec. 26, 2022
  • Best time to travel: Before 12 p.m. or after 7 p.m.
  • Worst time to travel: Between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.
• Dec. 27, 2022
  • Best time to travel: Before 2 p.m. or after 8 p.m.
  • Worst time to travel: From 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
• Dec. 28, 2022
  • Best time to travel: Before 2 p.m. or after 8 p.m.
  • Worst time to travel: From 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
• Dec. 29, 2022
  • Best time to travel: Before 2 p.m. or after 8 p.m.
  • Worst time to travel: From 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
• Dec. 30, 2022
  • Best time to travel: Before 2 p.m. or after 8 p.m.
  • Worst time to travel: From 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
• Dec. 31, 2022
  • Experts expect minimal delays.
• Jan. 1, 2023
  • Experts expect minimal delays
• Jan. 2, 2023
  • Best time to travel: Before 3 p.m. or after 8 p.m.
  • Worst time to travel: From 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

In its forecast, AAA experts also pointed out the problem areas to watch out for in major metropolitan areas. In the D.C. area, the largest delays are expected on I-95 South from MD 212 to Central Avenue from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Dec. 27.

Here are the potential congestion areas in our region:

• I-95 South from exit 170A to exit 160
  • Congestion will peak on Dec. 29.
• I-95 South from exit 29B to exit 15
  • Congestion will peak on Dec. 27.
• I-495 counterclockwise, exit 27 to exit 45
  • Congestion will peak on Dec. 26.
• I-270 East, exit 1 to exit 32
  • Congestion will peak on Jan. 2.
• I-95 North, exit 170A to exit 22A
  • Congestion will peak on Dec. 27.

Air Travel Increases More Than 10%

Flights and airports will be packed this holiday season, reminiscent of pre-pandemic days. Demand for flights has surged despite higher airline ticket prices. Nearly 121,700 Maryland residents will take to the skies over the holiday period, representing more than a 10 percent jump compared to last year, but still down nearly 9 percent from the residents who flew over the holiday period in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The TSA reports screening more than 2.5 million people at U.S. airports on the Sunday after Thanksgiving,” adds Ali. “That’s the highest number of travelers that screeners have seen since the start of the pandemic and a sure sign that air travel is getting back closer to normal.”

Like Thanksgiving, airport parking will be challenging.“Airport parking spaces fill up fast, so reserve a spot ahead of time and arrive early,” Ali suggests. “Anticipate long TSA lines. If possible, avoid checking a bag to allow for more flexibility if flights are delayed or you need to reschedule.”