“The increase in holiday travel this year is driven by continued improvement in the labor market, rising incomes and low gas prices which remain well below last year’s levels,” said Brent Stahlheber, Sr. Vice President – Brand Marketing and Travel, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “This helps boost Americans’ disposable income, generating more money to spend on lodging, dining out, and buying gifts.”

Driving remains most popular mode of travel for year-end holiday travel

• More than 90 percent of travelers (91.3 million people) will drive to their holiday destinations, an increase of 1.4 percent over last year.
• Air travel is expected to increase by 0.7 percent, with 5.8 million Americans flying to their holiday destinations.
• Travel by other modes of transportation, including cruises, trains and buses, will increase 2.4 percent, to 3.4 million travelers.

Lowest New Year’s gas prices in seven years expected

Monday's national average was $2.01, 32 cents less than last year. The Georgia average price for a gallon of gasoline is poised to remain below the $2 per gallon mark through the rest of the year. In Georgia, the average price on Monday was $1.94 – 38 cents lower than Christmas Day 2014 and 30 cents lower than New Year’s Day 2015. AAA expects most U.S. drivers will pay the lowest gas prices on New Year’s Day since 2008.

Airfares fall, hotel and car rental rates rise modestly

According to AAA’s Leisure Travel Index, airfares for the top 40 domestic flight routes are six percent lower this holiday season, falling to an average of $174 roundtrip. Rates for AAA Three Diamond Rated lodgings will be four percent higher this year, with travelers spending an average of $150 per night. The average rate for a AAA Two Diamond Rated hotel has risen 11 percent with an average nightly cost of $119. Daily car rental rates will average $68, three percent higher than last year’s holiday travel season.

#AAAToTheRescue for nearly 900,000 motorists this holiday season

AAA expects to rescue nearly 900,000 motorists during the 12-day year-end holiday travel period, with the primary reasons being dead batteries, lockouts and flat tires. AAA recommends motorists check the condition of their battery and tires for winter driving before heading out on a holiday getaway. Also, have vehicles inspected by a trusted repair shop, such as one of the nearly 7,000 AAA Approved Auto Repair facilities across North America. Members can download the AAA Mobile app, visit AAA.com or call 1-800-AAA-HELP to request roadside assistance.

AAA cautions against impaired driving this holiday season

According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety’s Traffic Safety Culture Index, one in five licensed drivers (21%) who drink at least occasionally reported having driven when they thought their alcohol level might have been close to, or possibly over, the legal limit in the past year. 

“As we celebrate the holiday season, AAA urges travelers to be cautious about their safety and the safety of everyone sharing the roadways,” said Amy Stracke, Executive Director, Auto Club Group Traffic Safety Foundation. “Ninety-seven percent of licensed drivers consider it unacceptable to drive when they may have had too much to drink, yet there is an average of one alcohol-impaired driving death every 53 minutes.”

Download the AAA Mobile app before a year-end holiday getaway

Before setting out on a holiday trip, download the free AAA Mobile app for iPhone, iPad and Android. Travelers can use the app to map a route, find lowest gas prices, access exclusive member discounts, make travel arrangements, request AAA roadside assistance, find AAA Approved Auto Repair facilities and more. Learn more at AAA.com/mobile.

With the AAA Mobile app, travelers can also find more than 58,000 AAA Approved and Diamond Rated hotels and restaurants via TripTik Travel Planner. AAA’s is the only rating system that uses full-time, professionally trained evaluators to inspect each property on an annual basis. Every AAA Approved establishment offers the assurance of acceptable cleanliness, comfort and hospitality, and ratings of One to Five Diamonds help travelers find the right match for amenities and services.