Login
Los Angeles Joins Boston, New York, Houston, San Francisco, Chicago, and Other US Cities to Face Worst Traffic Days Due to Holiday Travel Surge in December: Key Updates to Know Before Planning Your Trip
Los Angeles, along with Boston, New York, Houston, San Francisco, Chicago, and other U.S. cities, will experience the worst traffic days due to the holiday travel surge in December, making planning ahead essential. As millions of travelers take to the roads to visit family, enjoy festive events, and embark on vacation getaways, these major cities will face significant congestion, especially on key routes. The combination of high travel volumes and peak travel days, such as the weekend before Christmas and the days following, will lead to long delays across the country. With traffic expected to reach its peak during these times, itβs crucial for travelers to stay informed about the worst travel days and peak congestion hours to avoid getting caught in the holiday gridlock.
Washington, D.C.: Saturday, Dec 20th β The Holiday Gridlock
Washington, D.C. is expected to experience its worst traffic congestion on Saturday, Dec 20th, at 4:15 PM. The route from D.C. to Baltimore via the BW Parkway North will see a massive 133% increase in travel time. With both locals and visitors hitting the roads for the start of the holiday season, delays will be significant. If youβre traveling in this area, be prepared for long delays and consider taking alternative routes or avoiding peak travel times.
| City | Worst Travel Day | Peak Congestion Time | Route Example | Expected Delay Factor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington, D.C. | Sat, Dec 20th | 4:15 PM | DC to Baltimore (BW Pkwy N) | 133% increase in travel time |
Boston, MA: Saturday, Dec 20th β A Tense Trip North
In Boston, Saturday, Dec 20th will bring some of the worst congestion of the holiday season, with the peak time at 3:30 PM. The drive from Boston to Portsmouth via I-95 North will experience a 126% increase in travel time. This time frame will see a high volume of travelers, so be ready for slow-moving traffic and plan accordingly if youβre heading out during this peak period.
| City | Worst Travel Day | Peak Congestion Time | Route Example | Expected Delay Factor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston | Sat, Dec 20th | 3:30 PM | Boston to Portsmouth (I-95 N) | 126% increase in travel time |
New York, NY: Monday, Dec 22nd β A Holiday Hamptons Haul
For New York, the worst traffic will occur on Monday, Dec 22nd, at 4:15 PM. The route from NYC to the Hamptons via the Long Island Expressway East will experience a 90% increase in travel time. With many people heading out for a pre-Christmas vacation, delays are inevitable. If youβre planning this trip, expect heavy traffic and be ready for a much longer journey than usual.
| City | Worst Travel Day | Peak Congestion Time | Route Example | Expected Delay Factor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York | Mon, Dec 22nd | 4:15 PM | NYC to Hamptons (LI Expy E) | 90% increase in travel time |
Los Angeles, CA: Friday, Dec 26th β Post-Christmas Gridlock
Los Angeles will face severe traffic on Friday, Dec 26th, at 5:45 PM. The route from LA to Palm Springs via I-10 East will see a 89% increase in travel time. As people return from their holiday getaways, the roads will be packed. Expect long delays, especially during this evening rush period, and consider planning your trip outside of these peak hours.
| City | Worst Travel Day | Peak Congestion Time | Route Example | Expected Delay Factor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | Fri, Dec 26th | 5:45 PM | LA to Palm Springs (I-10 E) | 89% increase in travel time |
San Francisco, CA: Saturday, Dec 21st β A Napa Nightmare
In San Francisco, the worst travel day will be Saturday, Dec 21st at 7:30 PM. The route from San Francisco to Napa via I-80 East will experience an 82% increase in travel time. With many travelers heading to Napa for holiday festivities, this peak period will create a significant bottleneck. Expect longer-than-usual travel times, and consider leaving earlier or later to avoid the worst delays.
| City | Worst Travel Day | Peak Congestion Time | Route Example | Expected Delay Factor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco | Sat, Dec 21st | 7:30 PM | San Francisco to Napa (I-80 E) | 82% increase in travel time |
Chicago, IL: Sunday, Dec 22nd β A Windy City Wait
Chicago will see significant delays on Sunday, Dec 22nd, at 4:45 PM. The route from Chicago to Milwaukee via I-94 West will experience a 69% increase in travel time. With people heading out for pre-Christmas travel, the roads will be packed, particularly during the late afternoon. If youβre traveling on this route, expect delays and allow extra time for your journey.
| City | Worst Travel Day | Peak Congestion Time | Route Example | Expected Delay Factor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago | Sun, Dec 22nd | 4:45 PM | Chicago to Milwaukee (I-94 W) | 69% increase in travel time |
Denver, CO: Sunday, Dec 29th β A Post-Holiday Rush
In Denver, the worst travel day will be Sunday, Dec 29th, at 1:00 PM. The route from Fort Collins to Denver via I-25 South will experience a 67% increase in travel time. As many people return from post-Christmas trips, traffic is expected to be heavy. Plan ahead and expect slower travel times if youβre heading to or from Denver during this time.
| City | Worst Travel Day | Peak Congestion Time | Route Example | Expected Delay Factor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denver | Sun, Dec 29th | 1:00 PM | Fort Collins to Denver (I-25 S) | 67% increase in travel time |
Houston, TX: Friday, Dec 27th β A Long Trip West
Houstonβs worst traffic day will be Friday, Dec 27th, at 5:45 PM. The route from Lafayette to Houston via I-10 West will see a 53% increase in travel time. With many people still traveling back after the Christmas holiday, expect long delays, particularly as people return to work and school. Plan ahead for a slower trip and give yourself extra time.
| City | Worst Travel Day | Peak Congestion Time | Route Example | Expected Delay Factor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houston | Fri, Dec 27th | 5:45 PM | Lafayette to Houston (I-10 W) | 53% increase in travel time |
Atlanta, GA: Sunday, Dec 22nd β A Christmas Eve Crunch
In Atlanta, the worst travel day will be Sunday, Dec 22nd, at 1:45 PM. The route from Atlanta to Augusta via I-20 East will experience a 38% increase in travel time. While not as severe as other cities, this delay still requires attention. Expect heavy traffic as many travelers head out to visit family or enjoy holiday getaways.
| City | Worst Travel Day | Peak Congestion Time | Route Example | Expected Delay Factor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta | Sun, Dec 22nd | 1:45 PM | Atlanta to Augusta (I-20 E) | 38% increase in travel time |
Los Angeles, along with Boston, New York, Houston, San Francisco, Chicago, and other U.S. cities, will experience the worst traffic days due to the holiday travel surge in December, making planning ahead essential.
Conclusion
Los Angeles, along with Boston, New York, Houston, San Francisco, Chicago, and other U.S. cities, will face the worst traffic days due to the holiday travel surge in December. As millions of travelers hit the roads for family visits, vacations, and seasonal events, peak congestion is expected to disrupt travel plans, making it essential to plan ahead. Understanding the specific worst travel days and the expected delays on key routes will help travelers navigate the busy holiday season more effectively. Whether youβre driving through major cities or traveling to popular destinations, being prepared for the increased traffic will ensure a smoother journey and help you avoid the worst of the holiday gridlock.
The post Los Angeles Joins Boston, New York, Houston, San Francisco, Chicago, and Other US Cities to Face Worst Traffic Days Due to Holiday Travel Surge in December: Key Updates to Know Before Planning Your Trip appeared first on Travel And Tour World.