As the Christmas celebrations wind down, travelers are taking to the road and skies to return home, making this weekend one of the busiest travel weekends of the year.
Sunday is expected to be the busiest day of travel during the weekend, as most are returning home in preparation for the rest of the week of New Year's to come.
Other WRAL Top Stories
Areas near the Great Lakes and Northeast are battling a blanket of snow after a snow fell overnight Friday and into Saturday morning hours. And travelers are feeling that impact as millions are flying home after the Christmas holiday.
“We are just thankful and grateful to be home,” said Chanell Williams as she landed at RDU.
She said her day started at an airport in Orlando but had to wait for hours.
“We got there at probably about 10. Our flight did not leave until 3. It was delayed,” she said.
As of Saturday at 9:30 p.m., there were 15 flights cancelled at Raleigh-Durham International Airport and 157 delays. At Charlotte Douglas International Airport, 28 flights were canceled Saturday and 393 delayed.
"It comes with the territory,” said Tangela Reed who told WRAL News she was onher third delay to Miami Saturday night.
>> Headed to the airport? Check out the WRAL Flight Tracker
On the roads, it's a similar story. AAA predicted 122.4 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home over the 13-day year-end holiday period beginning Dec. 20 and ending Jan. 1.
"The day after Christmas is always a busy travel day," said Tiffany Wright with AAA. "It's going to be congested, and it's going to be crowded."
AAA said the busiest time period for driving will be daily between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m.
Approximately 3.3 million North Carolinians are expected to be on the roads throughout the holiday season, a 2.2% increase from 2024. Part of that is from the spike in North Carolina's population and the increased demand for traveling after the Covid-19 pandemic.
"Of the nearly 4 million North Carolinians who are going to be traveling away from home, 90% of them will be doing so with the road trip," Wright said. "So, do the math. That's a lot more cars on the road versus this time last year. It's going to be congested. It's going to be crowded."
Wright suggests that drivers avoid airports and tourist locations to dodge high traffic volume in major metropolitan areas. She added that there has also been an increase in travelers taking the bus and train.
Drivers will be glad to hear the average price of unleaded gas has fallen to its lowest level in the U.S. since 2021, according to AAA. The average gas price for unleaded gas in Raleigh is $2.76 and in Charlotte, it's $2.60.
>> Fuel Tracker: Find lowest gas prices
Fortunately, Saturday and Sunday are expected to be rain-free in the Triangle.
Drivers are reminded to check their vehicle's tires, air filters, batteries and fluids before turning the key.
In the air, AAA predicts more than 200,000 people will fly in and out of Raleigh-Durham International Airport over the final two weeks of December. The airport reported that several parking options were sold out days before Christmas.
