Planning to hit the road during the 10-day holiday stretch? INRIX, the transportation data and insights provider, predicts some days with potentially heavy traffic. The peak congestion is expected on Saturday, December 23, and Thursday, December 28. Additionally, Saturday, December 30, may have increased traffic as people return from holiday trips or head out for New Year’s Eve.
For smoother travels, aim to drive before lunchtime or after 7:00 pm. INRIX suggests that nationwide travel times could be up to 20% longer this holiday season, with major cities like Denver, Minneapolis, and Washington, DC potentially facing double the usual delays. Transportation analyst Bob Pishue advises avoiding peak commuting hours and utilizing traffic apps, local DOT notifications, and 511 services to ease holiday travel stress.
Keep in mind that the listed times are in the local time zone of each metro area. For instance, Atlanta routes follow Eastern Time (ET), while Los Angeles routes adhere to Pacific Time (PT).
Here’s a quick guide to the best and worst times to travel by car:
| Date | Worst Time to Travel | Best Time to Travel |
| Saturday, December 23 | 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM, | Before 10:00 AM |
| Sunday, December 24 | Minimal Traffic Impact Expected | Minimal Traffic Impact Expected |
| Monday, December 25 | Minimal Traffic Impact Expected | Minimal Traffic Impact Expected |
| Tuesday, December 26 | 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM | Before 12:00 PM |
| Wednesday, December 27 | 1:00 PM to 7:00 PM | Before 12:00 PM |
| Thursday, December 28 | 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM | Before 12:00 PM |
| Friday, December 29 | 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM | Before 12:00 PM |
| Saturday, December 30 | 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM | Before 12:00 PM |
| Sunday, December 31 | Minimal Traffic Impact Expected | Minimal Traffic Impact Expected |
| Monday, January 01 | Minimal Traffic Impact Expected | Minimal Traffic Impact Expected |
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