More than 1 million in Oklahoma expected to travel for holidays

That’s a rise of 28,400 individuals statewide in comparison with final yr and shutting in on prepandemic numbers. 2022 is anticipated to be the third-busiest yr for vacation journey since AAA started monitoring in 2000, the group stated.

“This yr, journey time shall be prolonged resulting from Christmas Day and New Yr’s Day falling on Sundays,” stated Leslie Gamble, AAA Oklahoma’s public affairs and authorities relations supervisor.

“With hybrid work schedules, we’re seeing extra individuals take lengthy weekends to journey as a result of they will work remotely at their vacation spot and be extra versatile with the times they depart and return,” she stated.

INRIX, a supplier of transportation analytics and insights, expects essentially the most congested days on the street to be Dec. 23 — the Friday earlier than Christmas — Dec. 27, Dec. 28 and Jan. 2, as vacationers combine with commuters. Nationwide, drivers might see journey occasions as much as 25% longer.

“With pre-pandemic ranges of vacationers hitting the street this vacation, drivers have to be ready for delays in and round main metro areas, with Tuesday, December 27, anticipated to be the nation’s worst day to journey,” stated Bob Pishue, transportation analyst at INRIX.

“Our recommendation is to keep away from touring throughout peak commuting hours. If schedules permit, depart vivid and early or after the afternoon commute.”

For functions of the forecast, the year-end vacation journey interval is outlined because the 11-day interval from Friday, Dec. 23, to Monday, Jan. 2. The interval is similar size because the 2021-22 year-end journey interval.

The year-end vacation journey interval can vary from 10 to 13 days, relying on which day of the week Christmas Day and New Yr’s Day fall. All year-end vacation durations comprise two weekends.

• Estimated variety of Oklahomans touring by auto, air and different means: 1,092,339, or 27.4% of the state’s 3.986 million whole inhabitants, a rise of two.6% over final yr.

• Individuals touring by car: 1,016,593, or 25.5% of the inhabitants, a rise of 1.3%

• Individuals touring by air: 47,840, or 1.2% of the inhabitants, a rise of 21.5%.

• Individuals touring by bus, practice or different means: 27,906, or 0.7% of the inhabitants, a rise of 26.4%.

AAA additionally outlined the estimated greatest and worst occasions to journey through the interval.

Dec. 23: earlier than 2 p.m.; after 8 p.m.

Dec. 24: earlier than 11 a.m.; after 7 p.m.

Dec. 25: any time; minimal site visitors anticipated

Dec. 26: earlier than midday; after 7 p.m.

Dec. 27: earlier than 2 p.m.; after 8 p.m.

Dec. 28: earlier than 2 p.m.; after 8 p.m.

Dec. 29: earlier than 2 p.m.; after 8 p.m.

Dec. 30: earlier than 2 p.m.; after 8 p.m.

Dec. 31: any time; minimal site visitors anticipated

Jan. 1: any time; minimal site visitors anticipated

Jan. 2: earlier than 3 p.m.; after 8 p.m.