Richmond, Va. (Newsradiowrva.com) - Nearly 3.2 million Virginians are expected to travel 50 miles or more from home in the days surrounding the year-end holidays, according to AAA.
That’s an increase of 2% compared to last year and the second-highest year-end travel volume AAA has projected since it began tracking in 2000.
“AAA has seen a strong demand for travel throughout the year, and the end-of-year holiday is no exception,” said Morgan Dean, spokesperson for AAA Mid-Atlantic in Virginia. “Whether people are hitting the road to share the holiday with friends and family, or planning a more elaborate vacation, there is little discouraging them from getting away.”
A majority of Virginians – 90%, or about 2.85 million – will hit the roads this holiday season. When they do, they can expect to find lower-than-usual gas prices.
“It’s not under the tree, but drivers are finding a gift in the form of lower gas prices this holiday season,” Dean says.
The state average of $2.96 is down 8 cents in a week, 17 cents in a month and is six cents cheaper than it was a year ago, according to AAA.
The most congested days on the roadways are likely to be Saturday, December 23 and Thursday, December 28. Drivers looking to avoid traffic may want to leave in the morning on those days to beat the anticipated afternoon congestion. December 30 is also expected to be a busy day on the roads, with many travelers departing for their New Year’s destinations.
