Post-holiday travel around the Triangle has been smooth -- so far
A mild weather day in Raleigh and a lot of people who are off work for the day around central North Carolina means it should be smooth sailing -- for the most part -- for people returning home the day after the Christmas holiday.
Posted — UpdatedThe group says that is the most in nearly 20 years since AAA began tracking travel data trends in 2000, and represents an increase of about 4 percent over last year, or 4.3 million more people packing up their sleighs for a holiday getaway.
AAA officials said more than 104 million of the holiday travelers will drive to their destinations, with roadway delays expected to be the worst in big cities on Dec. 26.
“Holiday cheer is at an all-time high this year, with unemployment at historically low levels, and noted improvements in both disposable income and household net worth,” said Paula Twidale, vice president, AAA Travel. “Travelers should be getting used to crowded highways and airports, as this marks the eighth straight year of new record-high travel volumes for the year-end holidays.”
Travel gridlock was expected to be the worst in big cities, with steep afternoon travel delays expected in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, New York, San Francisco and Washington, D.C., according to AAA.
The midday commute around the Triangle was fairly smooth, with no major traffic issues reported on Interstate 40, Interstate 540, U.S. Highway 70 or N.C. Highway 401.
A couple driving from Durham to Wilmington said, for them. leaving early was the key to avoiding roadway gridlock.
"The traffic is good most of the time from Durham to Benson," driver Benny Evans said. "It's good."
Related Topics
• Credits
Copyright 2024 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
