The best and worst times to hit the road for the holidays

Of the more than 119 million people traveling over the holidays, 90 percent will go by car and major metro areas such as Boston will see double the typical traffic delays, AAA reported.

About 107 million people will hit the road this holiday, up 2.5 million from last year, according to AAA, which considers the holiday travel period Dec. 21 to Jan. 1, 2025. The absolute worst day to travel is Sunday, Dec. 22, according to the report.

Nationwide this holiday season, drivers could see travel times up to 30 percent longer, according to transportation analytics company INRIX. Because Christmas Day is on a Wednesday, AAA says it is anticipating “record-breaking travel numbers” the weekend before and the weekend after.  

Boston drivers will see the worst traffic from Boston to Hyannis via Pilgrim Highway S., according to INRIX. Drivers can expect peak congestion there on Friday, Dec. 20 at 3:45p.m., when the drive time will take 2 hours and 24 minutes and traffic on that corridor will be 100 percent over typical volume.

MassDOT will shut down scheduled road construction from Dec. 24 at 5 a.m. until Dec. 26 at 5 a.m. and from Dec. 31 at 5 a.m. until Jan. 2, 2025 at 5 a.m. The Sumner Tunnel swing lane will close on Dec. 25 and Jan. 1, 2025 and will operate at 5 a.m. the following morning.

For those looking to travel in the High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane on I-93 between Boston and Quincy, afternoon hours will be extended and open at 2 p.m. on Dec. 19 and at 1 p.m. on Dec. 20, as well as at 2 p.m. on Dec. 26 and at 1 p.m. on Dec. 27.

“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,” said Bob Pishue, transportation analyst at INRIX, in a statement.

In general, the worst time to travel this holiday, according to INRIX, is between 3 and 8 p.m. on Dec. 19 and 22; between 1 and 8 p.m. on Dec. 20; between 4 and 8 on Dec. 21; between 1 and 6 p.m. on Dec. 23; between noon and 5 p.m. on Dec. 26; between 3 and 7 p.m. on Dec. 27; between 1:30 and 7 p.m. on Dec. 28; between noon and 6 p.m. on Dec. 29; between 5 and 7 on Dec. 30; and between 4 and 8 p.m. on Jan. 2, 2025.

The best time to travel is on Dec. 24 and 25 as well as on Dec. 31 and and Jan. 1, 2025, according to the report. Otherwise, it’s best to travel before 11 a.m. on Dec. 19, 20, 23, 26, 28, and 29; before 2 p.m. on Dec. 21, 27, and 30; before noon on Dec. 22, and before 3 p.m. on Jan. 2, 2025.

MassDOT encourages drivers to use the state’s real-time traffic tools before heading out. Drivers can dial 511 and select a route to hear real-time road conditions, download the Mass511 mobile app, or visit www.mass511.com. Users can subscribe to receive text and email alerts for traffic conditions. 

Drivers can also follow @MassDOT on X for regular updates on road and traffic conditions. 

Kristi Palma

Culture writer

 

Kristi Palma is a culture writer for Boston.com, focusing on New England travel. She covers airlines, hotels, and things to do across Boston and New England. She is the author of Scenic Six, a weekly travel newsletter.