Beat The Traffic In The HV: Christmas, New Year’s Travel

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — If you can manage it, plan your holiday travel to miss the afternoon of Dec. 23, when traffic is expected to be more congested than usual, according to AAA’s Christmas and New Year’s travel forecast released Monday for 2023.

Of the projected 115.2 million people traveling for the holidays this year, 90 percent — some 104 million people — are expected to drive. That's up 1.8 percent over 2022, and the second-highest end-of-the-year travel projection on record, AAA said.

Gas prices are similar to the 2022 holiday period, when the national average on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day was $3.10 and $3.20 a gallon, respectively. Right now, the average gas price in New York is $3.470 a gallon. The national average is $3.137.

• White Plains: $3.592
• Kingston: $3.276
• Dutchess/Putnam: $3.452

"More than half of all US fuel locations have gasoline below $3 per gallon. By the end of the year, the national average may dip that low as well," said Andrew Gross, AAA spokesperson. "Historically, crude oil tends to drop nearly 30 percent from late September into early winter with gasoline prices trailing the play."

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. Saturday, Dec. 23, and Thursday, Dec. 28, are expected to be the worst.

"Nationwide, drivers could see travel times up to 20% longer this holiday season. In major metros, especially in Denver, Minneapolis, and Washington, DC, drivers could experience nearly double the typical delays," Bob Pishue, transportation analyst at INRIX, said in a news release. "Avoid peak commuting hours and use traffic apps, local DOT notifications, and 511 services to minimize holiday travel traffic frustrations."

Overall, the best and worst times to travel are:

Saturday, Dec. 23

• Best times: Before 10 a.m.
• Worst times: 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 24

• Minimal traffic disruption is expected

Monday, Dec. 25

• Minimal traffic disruption is expected

Tuesday, Dec. 26

• Best times: Before noon
• Worst times: 1-5 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec 27

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

Thursday, Dec 28

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

Friday, Dec. 29

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

Saturday, Dec. 30

• Best times: Before 10 a.m.
• Worst times: 5-7 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 31

• Minimal traffic disruption is expected

Monday, Jan. 1

• Minimal traffic disruption is expected

The worst congestion in the New York metro area will be on Long Island, AAA predicts. A trip between New York City and the Hamptons via the Long Island Expressway is projected to take twice as long during the peak congestion time of 2:30 p.m. Dec. 23.

By the way, airports are expected to be the busiest they’ve ever been over the Christmas and New Year’s travel period. AAA projects 7.5 million air travelers this holiday season, surpassing 2019’s record of 7.3 million passengers.

Related:

• Video: How To Pack Your Bag To Zip Through Airport TSA Checkpoint
• Gandolfini Service Area Closed For Renovations