Record 3.8 Million Georgians Set to Travel This Holiday as Gas Prices Drop

A record 3.8 million Georgians will hit the road this holiday season. That's a 2.1% jump from 2024. Cars will carry 3.4 million people, while planes transport 198,753 travelers, and 201,017 will use other methods to reach their destinations.

These state figures fit within a national forecast showing 122.4 million Americans venturing at least 50 miles from home during the holidays, which represents a 2.2% increase over 2024's record of 119.7 million travelers.

Gas prices have tumbled compared to last year. Georgia drivers paid an average of $2.73 per gallon on Monday, down from $2.91 a year ago. Nationally, prices averaged $2.85 per gallon, dropping from $3.04. Augusta saw prices hit $2.54 on Monday. South Carolina averaged $2.51 per gallon, down from $2.76 last year.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Airport anticipates 5.3 million travelers between Dec. 19 and Jan. 4. Last year's passenger count approached 4 million, the highest since 5.2 million in 2022. Airport officials say this will be the busiest Christmas travel period since the COVID-19 pandemic. TSA officials suggest using gift bags or boxes instead of wrapping paper for presents.

The Georgia Department of Transportation suspended lane closures on interstates and major state routes from 6 a.m. today to 10 p.m. Dec. 28 and from 5 a.m. Dec. 31 to 5 a.m. Jan. 2. GDOT warns drivers to brace for the heaviest traffic this afternoon as holiday travel surges on I-20 and other routes.

South Carolina Highway Patrol and State Transport Police will increase their presence during the Christmas and New Year's holiday travel periods. The state reported 871 collisions during last year's New Year's enforcement period, with nine fatal crashes.