WASHINGTON — Drivers are about to break a holiday travel record. More than 104 million Americans will drive more than 50 miles between now and the New Year, according to AAA.
Overall, holiday travel will be the highest AAA says it has ever recorded, and that means mega delays in our area.
There are a few key days to start planning around, according to those who keep tabs on holiday traffic. Travel analytics firm INRIX did the forecasting.
Its analysts expect delays to be the worst on Thursday, Dec. 26. Analysts said afternoon delays will be double in most major cities. But in our area, INRIX predicts that delays will be three times the norm between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Dec. 26 -- the worst time to hit the road regionwide.
INRIX analyst Trevor Reed said the good news is the majority of students will be out of school and most commuters will be taking extended time off for the holiday, but “knowing when and where major delays will likely happen will help save time and reduce stress this holiday season."
In Virginia, VDOT looked at historical traffic data. It says congestion will be the worst on Thursday, Dec. 26 on I-95 north near Springfield and I-95 south near Fredericksburg.
Also, on Monday, Dec. 23, VDOT says holiday congestion will peak on the top of the Capital Beltway, on I-95 north near Springfield, on I-95 south near Fredericksburg, and on I-66 east near Falls Church and Arlington.
The Maryland State Highway Administration suggests avoiding congestion to leave early in the morning or after 7 p.m. The agency is suspending non-emergency lane closures beginning at 5 a.m. Dec. 24 until 10 p.m., Dec. 27 and again 5 a.m. Dec. 31 until 10 p.m. Jan. 2., 2020.
