Holiday travel is projected to reach record-high numbers this year, surpassing even the record set in 2019. AAA predicts that 119.3 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home between Saturday and New Year’s Day, a figure exceeding the previous record by 64,000 travelers. More than 7.85 million people are expected to travel by air, surpassing last year’s record of 7.5 million. The Chicago Department of Aviation anticipates 3.6 million of these air passengers will arrive at O’Hare and Midway airports between Friday and January 2nd, with Monday at O’Hare and December 29th at Midway expected to be the busiest days. O’Hare alone is projected to welcome nearly 3.05 million passengers over the next 14 days, approximately 220,000 more than last year. CDA Commissioner Jamie L. Rhee stated that their teams are dedicated to ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience for all travelers, prioritizing safety and security.
The holiday travel rush began with some challenges on Friday morning. A ground stop at O’Hare due to snow and ice caused approximately 876 flight delays at O’Hare and 150 at Midway by 6 p.m. Despite this, the vast majority of holiday travelers – nearly 90% – are expected to travel by car, with approximately 107 million people expected to drive to their destinations, a 2.5 million increase from last year. AAA projects the worst traffic in the Chicago area to be Sunday afternoon on Interstate 94 between Chicago and Milwaukee, estimating a travel time exceeding two hours for the 90-mile trip. However, gas prices are currently lower than last year, averaging $3.05 a gallon, compared to the national average of $3.12 during the last two weeks of 2023. This record-breaking holiday travel season follows a busy year, with record numbers also observed during Memorial Day, July Fourth, and Thanksgiving.