Holiday travel in Ohio to be second-busiest since 2000

OHIO — Airports and roadways will be especially busy this year as the American Automobile Association expects it to be the second-busiest holiday traveling period since the organization began recording the data in 2000. 

AAA predicts more than 4.6 million Ohioans will travel 50 miles or more from home between Dec. 23 and Jan. 2, which is 2.6% more residents traveling compared to 2021. Nationally, 112.7 millions Americans plan to hit the road or airways, which is 3.3% more than last year. 

This year, Ohio is closing in on pre-pandemic levels for holiday travel with just 200,000 people less than 2019. 

“This year, travel time will be extended due to Christmas Day and New Year’s Day falling on Sundays,” said Paula Twidale, AAA’s senior vice president of Travel. “With hybrid work schedules, we are seeing more people take long weekends to travel because they can work remotely at their destination and be more flexible with the days they depart and return.”

More than 4.2 million Ohioans plan to drive to their destinations, 258,000 plan to fly and 150,000 plan to travel by bus, rail or cruise ship, according to AAA.

Nationally, 102 million Americans will drive, 7.2 million will fly and 3.6 million will use the other modes of transportation.

Best and Worst Times to Travel

Friday, Dec. 23

• Best time: Before 2 p.m. and after 8 p.m.
• Worst time: Between 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 24

• Best time: Before 11 a.m. and after 7 p.m.
• Worst time: Between 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 25

• Best time: Before 12 p.m. and after 7 p.m.
• Worst time: Between 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Monday, Dec. 26

• Best time: Before 12 p.m. and after 7 p.m.
• Worst time: Between 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 27

• Best time: Before 2 p.m. and after 8 p.m.
• Worst time: Between 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 28

• Best time: Before 2 p.m. and after 8 p.m.
• Worst time: Between 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 29

• Best time: Before 2 p.m. and after 8 p.m.
• Worst time:  Between 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 30

• Best time: Before 2 p.m. and after 8 p.m.
• Worst time: Between 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 31 and Sunday, Jan. 1

Monday, Jan. 2

• Best time: Before 3 p.m. and after 8 p.m.
• Worst time: Between 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.