DENVER (KDVR) — As nearly 120 million people hit the road and skies ahead of the holidays, travel experts have new insight into when the best and worst times to travel will be.
AAA projects that 119.3 million people across the U.S. will travel 50 miles or more away from home between Saturday to Wednesday, Jan. 1. Of those travelers, nearly 90% will be driving -- 107 million people.
While there is less leeway with adjusting a flight, INRIX, a provider of transportation data and insights, has some tips for drivers if they want to avoid peak congestion on the roads.
DIA holiday travel guide: Busy airport times and security changes to know aboutIf you can, you may want to wake up early and hit the roads before 11 a.m.
According to INRIX, here are the best and worst times to travel by car:
Date Worst travel time Best travel time Thursday, Dec. 19 3–8 p.m.Before 11 a.m.Friday, Dec. 20 1–8 p.m.Before 11 a.m.Saturday, Dec. 21 4–8 p.m. Before 2 p.m.Sunday, Dec. 22 3–8 p.m.Before 12 p.m.Monday, Dec. 23 1–6 p.m.Before 11 a.m.Tuesday, Dec. 24 Minimal Traffic Impact Expected Wednesday, Dec. 25 Minimal Traffic Impact Expected Thursday, Dec. 26 12–5 p.m.Before 11 a.m.Friday, Dec. 27 3–7 p.m.Before 2 p.m.Saturday, Dec. 28 1:30–7 p.m.Before 11 a.m.Sunday, Dec. 29 12–6 p.m.Before 11 a.m.Monday, Dec. 30 5–7 p.m.Before 2 p.m.Tuesday, Dec. 31 Minimal Traffic Impact Expected Wednesday, Jan. 1 Minimal Traffic Impact Expected Thursday, Jan. 2 4–8 p.m. Before 3 PM INRIXINRIX also provided data about peak congestion periods for Denver.
If you are traveling between Fort Collins to Denver on Interstate 25, peak congestion will be on Sunday, Dec. 29 at 1 p.m. Travel is expected to take an hour and 31 minutes.
See the latest traffic conditions in Denver on FOX31INRIX said this is a 67% increase in traffic.
“With a near record number of auto travelers expected this holiday season, drivers should expect delays in and around major metro areas, with Sunday, Dec. 22 expected to be the nation’s worst day to travel,” says Bob Pishue, transportation analyst at INRIX. “Our advice is to avoid traveling during peak commuting hours during the week. If schedules allow, leave bright and early or after the evening commute.”
If you are flying, plan on getting to the airport early. Denver International Airport said it expects to see 811,000 passengers from Dec. 19 to Dec. 29.
Officials at DIA said that the busiest hours of the day will be 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.
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