Best and worst times to drive during the Christmas season - The Dallas Morning News

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Texans can expect to hit traffic on the roads this Christmas season, with even more people in the state planning to drive to their holiday destinations this year.

More than 8 million Texans are expected to travel by car during the holidays, according to the AAA. That number represents a 2% increase from 2021 and 7% decrease from 2019 at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Its most recent forecast defined holiday travel as the 11-day period from Dec. 23 to Jan. 2.

And across the U.S., nearly 102 million people will hit the road, making 2022 the third busiest year for holiday travel — just shy of 2019′s record-breaking number of 108 million drivers.

In addition, more people may be inclined to hit the road this holiday due to falling gas prices, said AAA Texas spokesman Joshua Zuber. In Texas, the average price for gas was $2.61 as of Tuesday, and by Christmas, it’s likely many will be paying less for gas compared to last year.

“As gas prices fall, that may be a factor in encouraging people to make that last-minute decision to travel,” Zuber said in an email.

To avoid the worst of traffic, it may be wise to plan your year-end holiday road trip when fewer people are on the road.

Here are the best and worst times to drive during the holidays, as well as some general driving tips for the season.

The automotive agency anticipates minimal traffic on Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

To avoid hitting traffic, AAA suggests hitting the road “bright and early” before morning commutes, or right after the late afternoon commute. During end of year travel, the least amount of traffic generally takes place before 2 p.m. and after 8 p.m.

However, on Christmas Eve, AAA forecasts minimal traffic on the roads before 11 a.m. and after 7 p.m. Traffic patterns also look different on Dec. 26, with minimal traffic expected before noon and after 7 p.m.

The worst day to travel is Tuesday Dec. 27, according to the AAA.

Software company INRIX also predicts drivers to experience congestion on Dec. 23, Dec. 28 and Jan. 2. Travel times for drivers across the country could go up by 25% on these days.

Traffic generally peaks during commuting hours from the late afternoon through evening. On the Friday before Christmas, heavy traffic is expected from 4 to 7 p.m., and on Christmas Eve, congestion could last from noon to 6 p.m.

For Dec. 26, AAA forecasts the most traffic from 2 to 6 p.m. From Dec. 27 to 30, Texas drivers can expect heightened traffic from 3 to 7 p.m.

Before heading out to their travel destinations, AAA recommends drivers check weather conditions to determine whether it’s a safe choice to be on the roads. An arctic blast is expected to settle over North Texas this week, beginning on Thursday.

Other tips include servicing your vehicle before hitting the roads and packing an emergency kit, which should contain a cell phone charger, flashlight, first-aid kit, water, snacks and reflectors.

For the cold, AAA also suggests packing an ice scraper, shovel, warm gloves and clothes for passengers riding in your car.

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