It’s not just local shops that will see the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, as top forecasters are predicting a record-setting number of travelers at the end of 2024.

AAA – The Auto Club Group is projecting that 7.1 million Floridians will travel 50 miles or more from home for the year-end holiday period that spans from Dec. 21 to Jan.1. That number is 220,000 more than the previous record set last year.

“Travelers should expect the roads, airports and cruise terminals to be more crowded than normal,” said Debbie Haas, vice president of Travel for AAA, in a release. “So, finalize your travel plans now and give yourself extra time to get to your destination. We also suggest travel insurance, which provides assistance in the event winter weather or something unexpected interferes with your plans.”

Nationwide, AAA expects 3 million more travelers than last year. An estimated, 119.3 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more. This narrowly surpasses the previous record set in 2019 by 64,000 travelers.

AAA said factors for this year’s forecast include: travel volume being driven by consumer spending, strong employment continuing to drive rising wages, and economic growth remaining steady.

Travel by car, per usual, tops the list of how individuals and family will get to their destination this holiday. AAA predicts there will be 2.5 million more people on the roads this year, as nationwide, and estimated 107 million will take a road trip of 50 miles or more, just shy of the record 108 million in 2019.

Road travel is expected to set new records in Florida, according to experts. AAA said more than 6.4 million Floridians are forecast to take a road trip, an increase of 200,000 Florida road trippers than last year. Nearly 90% of holiday travelers will drive to their destinations.

“Many travelers, particularly families with young children, prefer the flexibility and lower cost that road trips provide,” said AAA spokesperson Mark Jenkins in a release. “Gas demand in December goes down as the weather gets colder, more people work remotely, and holiday shoppers purchase their gifts online versus in person.”

AAA officials said holiday gas prices should be comparable to last year. During the last two weeks of 2023, Florida gas prices averaged $3.07 per gallon. During that time, the state average ranged from a low of $2.86 per gallon to a high of $3.13 per gallon. Currently, Florida drivers are paying around $3.09 per gallon.

AAA experts provided road safety tips for those driving this holiday season:

• Follow posted speed limits: Although it’s tempting to speed to save time, the facts don’t support it. Even minor increases in speed can make crashes deadly.

• Drive only when alert and refreshed: Driving on four to five hours of sleep is as dangerous as driving with a 0.08 BAC (legal intoxication). Less than four hours of sleep? The risk doubles.

• Travel during hours you’re normally awake and avoid overnight drives.

• Steer clear of heavy meals, drowsy medications, and alcohol.

• For long trips, take breaks every two hours or 100 miles. Use these breaks to switch drivers if possible, or park at a safe location and nap for 20-30 minutes to recharge.

• Slow down, move over: A roadside worker is killed every other week in the U.S. To help prevent these tragedies, AAA asks drivers to Slow Down, Move Over.

• When you see an emergency responder on the side of the road assisting a stranded driver, reduce your speed. If possible, change lanes to give those crews room to do their jobs safely.

So, when is the best time to hit the road?

AAA experts said that nationwide, travel times could be up to 30% longer than normal. INRIX, a provider of transportation data and insights, expects drivers will experience the worst traffic delays the weekends before Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. The holidays themselves are expected to have minimal congestion.

From Dec. 20 to 29, experts said leaving before noon is the best time to travel, with the hours of 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. being the worst times.

“With a near record number of auto travelers expected this holiday season, drivers should expect delays in and around major metro areas, with Sunday, Dec. 22, expected to be the nation’s worst day to travel,” said Bob Pishue, transportation analyst at INRIX, in a release. “Our advice is to avoid traveling during peak commuting hours during the week. If schedules allow, leave bright and early or after the evening commute.”

Florida boasts four of the top 10 travel destination this holiday season, including the top three in Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami.

Nationally, AAA expects air travel to set a new record this holiday season. Nearly 7.9 million Americans are forecast to take at least one domestic flight according to experts. That number surpasses the previous record of 7.5 million air travelers last year. AAA booking data shows flights are 4% more expensive this holiday season compared to last year. The average domestic ticket is $830. International flights are 13% more expensive, averaging $1,630 a ticket.

AAA data shows the number of Americans traveling by bus, train, and cruise this holiday season is up nearly 10% compared to last year. AAA expects 4.47 million people will travel by other modes. That number is the highest it’s been in 20 years, experts said. Cruise bookings out of domestic ports are up 37% compared to last holiday season.