This time last year, AAA Travel forecasted that 115.6 million Americans would travel during the holiday season, the most ever on record since AAA began tracking holiday travel. This year, the coronavirus pandemic has upended the upward trend, with a decline in holiday travel of at least 29%, AAA said.
AAA this year expects at least 34 million fewer travelers this year from Dec. 23 through Jan. 3, totaling 84.5 million.
The CDC, AAA emphasized, has urged Americans not to travel this year.
"Public health concerns, official guidance not to travel, and an overall decline in consumer sentiment have encouraged the vast majority of Americans to stay home for the holidays," Paula Twidale, senior vice president of AAA Travel, said in a statement.
Those who do plan to travel are taking a "wait-and-see approach," AAA said. As cases continue to rise across the country, AAA expects many not to follow through with upcoming travel plans.
For instance, AAA predicted up to 50 million travelers for the Thanksgiving holiday, a 10% year-over-year decline; final numbers are not yet available, but the agency believes the decline will actually be closer to 15%-20%.
Of those who do travel this holiday season, AAA says, the vast majority -- 96%, or 81.1 million travelers -- will do so by automobile. Another 2.94 million will travel by air, and 480,000 will travel by bus, train or cruise.
At an average of 50 cents cheaper than this time last year, gas prices will be favorable for road-trippers, AAA said.