NoVA, DC Holiday Travel Traffic Jams 2019: Worst Times To Drive

WASHINGTON, DC — Christmas is almost here, and planning the logistics of holiday travel can leave you feeling stressed. Patch is here to help.

The American Automobile Association has identified the worst times to leave for your holiday road trip so you can avoid the jams. Roads in the District of Columbia and northern Virginia will be busy through Jan. 2.

More Americans than ever recorded, 115.6 million of them, are expected to travel this holiday season, from Dec. 21, through Wednesday, Jan. 1. It's an increase of 3.9 percent from 2018, or 4.3 million more people taking their holiday plans on the road, according to the automobile association.

Here's the information you need to know for holiday related travel in the D.C. area:

• Worst Day to Travel: Thursday, Dec. 26
• Peak Congestion Period: 4–6 p.m.
• Delay Multiplier: 3 times more congested

Most drivers tackled the interstates on Saturday, but DC area travelers will steadily take to the roads until Christmas Eve, said WTOP traffic reporter Reada Kessler.

“With the government off on Tuesday, there’s always a chance they could leave early on Monday,” said Kessler. She said many federal employees might use a vacation day in order to get to the holiday break a little earlier.

Related:

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• Christmas Day 2019 Weather Forecast Released For NoVA, DC
• Free Coffee At VA Sheetz Stores On Christmas, New Year's
• Hanukkah In Northern Virginia 2019: Events And Lightings
• Burning Christmas Tree Dramatically Illustrates Hazard: VIDEO

The American Automobile Association made its holiday travel projections based on economic forecasting and research by IHS Markit, a London-based business information provider.

Air Travel Bookings Spiked On Sunday

A recent analysis by AAA also found that Dec. 22 will be the single busiest air travel day during the holiday week, with travelers having to spend an average of $593-$639 on a single ticket.

Here are the 10 most popular holiday destinations of 2019, which are based on American Automobile Association travel bookings.

1. Orlando, Florida
2. Anaheim, California
3. Honolulu, Hawaii
4. Kahului, Hawaii
5. Las Vegas, Nevada
6. Lauderdale, Florida
7. New York, New York
8. Miami, Florida
9. Tampa, Florida
10. Phoenix, Arizona

— By Gus Saltonstall and Deb Belt