AAA is projecting that more people will travel this holiday season than in 2019, the previous high-water mark.
From Saturday, Dec. 21, to Wednesday, Jan. 1, AAA projects 119.3 million people will travel 50 miles or more away from home. That total narrowly beats 2019's total by 64,000 travelers. It also marks an increase of 3 million holiday travelers compared to last year.
Nearly 90%, or 107 million, will travel by car, just shy of 2019's record of 108 million but up 2.5 million people from last year.
Air and cruise travel
AAA also is projecting a record number of air travelers this holiday season: 7.85 million. Last year was the previous record, with 7.5 million air travelers.
Flights are more expensive this holiday season compared to last, AAA found. On average, domestic tickets are $830, up 4%, and international tickets are $1,630, up 13%.
A total of 4.47 million people will travel by bus, train and cruise this year, up 10% from last year. Notably, domestic cruise bookings are up 37% compared to last year's holiday season.
Hot destinations
Warm-weather destinations dominate the top domestic and international spots based on AAA booking data.
Domestically, the top destinations are Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Los Angeles, Tampa, Las Vegas, Honolulu, San Juan, New Orleans, New York and Charleston, S.C.
Internationally, the top spots are Punta Cana, Dominican Republic; Cancun, Puerto Vallarta and Mexicali, Mexico; Bahrain; San Jose, Costa Rica; Nassau; Oranjestad, Aruba; and London.
"This is the time of year when lifelong memories are made with loved ones, and travel plays a big role in that," Stacey Barber, vice president of AAA Travel, said in a release. "This year, with Christmas Day falling on a Wednesday, we're anticipating record-breaking travel numbers the weekend before and the weekend after the holiday."