WICHITA – ‘Twas the days before Christmas, and all through the state, many bags and cars were packed, as holiday travel adventures await. AAA estimates that nearly 1.2 million Kansans will travel 50 miles or more away from home over the end-of-year holiday travel period, an increase of almost 3% compared to the 2021 travel volume. AAA defines the year-end travel period from Dec. 23 to Jan. 2.
All of these predictions, however, could be impacted by the “bomb cyclone,” a major winter storm that is crippling travel in nearly every state.
Consistent with most travel holidays, more than 9 in 10 travelers – or more than 1.1 million Kansans – plan to be driving to their holiday destinations. The number of road travelers is slightly more than last year, said Shawn Steward, spokesman for AAA Kansas.
“The good news is that drivers will definitely be seeing the cheapest gas prices of the year – Kansas’ gas average is 20 cents less than it was a year ago,” Steward said.
In fact, gas prices nationally and locally have not been this low since October 2021. The national average on Dec. 18 was $3.14, compared to $3.30 a year ago. Kansas prices were $2.79 (10th cheapest in America), compared to $2.99 a year ago.
“The seasonal pattern of less driving due to shorter days, combined with lower oil costs, has been driving gas prices lower,” Steward added. “This trend has led about 20 states to average gas prices below $3 a gallon in recent weeks.”
Taking to the skies
INRIX, a provider of transportation analytics and insights, expects the most congested days on the road to be the Friday before Christmas, Dec. 23, as well as Dec. 27 and 28. Monday, Jan. 2, is also expected to be a busy day on the roads, as travelers mix with commuters.
Flights and airports will be packed this holiday season, reminiscent of pre-pandemic days. Demand for flights has surged despite higher airline ticket prices. AAA is projecting nearly 50,000 Kansas residents will take to the skies over the holiday period, representing a 16.2% jump compared to last year.
Like Thanksgiving, airport parking will be challenging.
“Airport parking spaces fill up fast, so reserve a spot ahead of time and arrive early,” Steward suggested. “Anticipate long TSA lines. If possible, avoid checking a bag to allow for more flexibility if flights are delayed or you need to reschedule.”
Other transportation
Consistent with national travel trends, and the Thanksgiving holiday, other modes of transportation will see the biggest jump for holiday travel. AAA is projecting that more than 38,000 Kansans will travel by cruise, bus, train or some other mode of transportation over the holiday period, an increase of 24.2% over last year.
“Travel by other modes has been the slowest area to recover post-pandemic, but with travel restrictions lifted and more people feeling comfortable taking public transportation again, it’s not surprising that interest in cruises, buses or trains has returned in a significant way,” Steward added.
National projections
Nationally, AAA forecasts:
• Nearly 113 million people will travel 50 miles or more from home between December 23 and January 2. That’s an increase of approximately 3%, or 3.6 million people over last year, but still down by about 5% when compared to pre-pandemic numbers.
• Nearly 102 million Americans will drive to their holiday destinations.
• This holiday season will see an additional 2 million people driving to their destination, a 2% increase compared to 2021.
• Air travel will see a 14% increase over last year, with nearly 7.2 million Americans expected to fly.
• Other modes of transportation are also rebounding in a big way.
• AAA estimates travel by bus, rail, and cruise ship will rise to 3.6 million this holiday season, a 23% increase from last year and nearly 94% of 2019’s volume.
Tips for battery service
For most of the year, AAA has seen an increase in the number of car batteries needing to be replaced, so the same is expected this winter when cold weather takes a greater toll. With that in mind, AAA urges drivers, especially those whose batteries may be a few years old, to get them checked now rather than risk becoming stranded roadside in adverse conditions.
“We have been fortunate with a stretch of mostly mild weather, including over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, but very cold temperatures are in the forecast this week, and the coldest months of winter are ahead,” Steward said.
• Start your engines – Even if you are not driving to work or going out every day, make sure you start your vehicle once every few days to ensure the battery has a strong charge.
• Keep your battery clean – Periodically pop the hood and look for corrosion on the battery terminals. If you see any, clean it off with a small, stiff brush and a solution of baking soda and water. After removing the corrosion, rinse the battery with water.
• Check to make sure the terminal connections aren’t loose - If they are, tighten with a wrench.
• Get a battery checkup – The average battery lasts 3-5 years. Before hitting the road, basic vehicle maintenance should include a battery check. Book a vehicle health check. Testing equipment today can often give you a good sense of how much life a battery has left.
