AAA’s Year-End Holiday Travel Forecast anticipates 1.5 percent increase

People planning to travel to spend Christmas and New Years with family and friends will have plenty of company on the roadways and in the air.

Triple-A is predicting more than 103 million Americans will travel for the year-end holidays, according to AAA’s Year-End Holiday Travel Forecast.

That represents a 1.5 percent increase, or 1.5 million more travelers than last year, and the highest total volume since AAA began tracking holiday travel data in 2001.

Triple-A spokesman Mark Jenkins says there are a couple of reasons for the big increase.

Of that 1.5 million travelers, over 90-percent will be driving, according to Jenkins, despite an expected increase in gas prices.

Triple-A is also expecting airfares to be higher this year, but Jenkins says that is not stopping people from booking flights for the holidays.

Now if you do decide to drive to your holiday destination this year, Jenkins has some common-sense advice before you get on the road.

Jenkins reminds motorists Triple-A has a free mobile app for iPhones, iPads, and Android devices that you can download before setting out on your trip

The app can help map a route, find lowest gas prices, make travel arrangements, and request AAA roadside assistance.