If it felt like everyone you know traveled during the 2025 holiday season you were not imagining things.
AAA’s year end travel forecast predicted that 122.4 million Americans would travel 50 miles or more between December 23 and January 2. That marked a 2.2 percent increase over 2024 and came just shy of the all time record set in 2019.
With gas prices averaging around three dollars per gallon, about 109.5 million people nearly nine out of ten travelers chose to drive. At the same time 8.03 million travelers flew, facing airfares roughly 7 percent higher than the previous year and averaging close to nine hundred dollars round trip.
Together these numbers signal not just a rebound from previous years but a full scale travel boom that is reshaping infrastructure technology and border policies around the world.
Roads Ruled the Holidays
Road trips remained the dominant mode of travel throughout the holiday period.
AAA pointed to a strong job market easing inflation and the continued appeal of domestic exploration as key drivers. Lower fuel costs compared to the prior year made long distance driving more accessible for families.
However AAA also warned that travel emergencies spike during this time. During the previous holiday season the organization responded to more than 860000 roadside assistance calls. Drivers were advised to check tires batteries and windshield wipers and to pack winter emergency kits with blankets food and water.
Rental car demand also surged. December 20 was the busiest pickup day and small SUVs were the most requested vehicles. Average rental prices were only about 1 percent higher than 2024, helping keep road travel affordable.
Traffic analysts identified December 23 and December 27 as the most congested driving days with heavy delays on major urban interstates. AAA recommended departing before 10 a.m. or after 7 p.m. and noted that Christmas Eve Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve tended to be comparatively lighter travel days.
Navigation apps like Waze and Google Maps played a critical role by offering real time rerouting around accidents and weather related closures.
Air Travel Surged Despite Higher Costs
Airports were equally crowded.
The 8.03 million air travelers represented a 2.3 percent increase from the previous year. Airlines added capacity but demand outpaced supply resulting in packed flights and elevated fares.
Aviation experts advised travelers to book holiday airfare by early October to secure reasonable prices and to consider flying on the holiday itself to save money. Despite widespread use of TSA PreCheck and Global Entry security lines remained long at many major airports.
Top Holiday Destinations
AAA booking data showed a strong preference for warm weather destinations.
Top domestic locations included Orlando Fort Lauderdale Miami Anaheim Los Angeles and Honolulu. Internationally Cancun Punta Cana and Montego Bay led holiday bookings.
Winter travelers headed to Denver Salt Lake City and Aspen, though limited early season snowfall pushed some ski demand toward Lake Tahoe and Banff.
Cruise and rail travel also rebounded sharply. AAA estimated that 4.9 million travelers used buses trains or cruise ships during the holiday period marking a significant increase compared to 2019.
New Technology at the Security Checkpoint
The holiday rush also introduced many travelers to new forms of digital identity verification.
In November 2025 Clear launched Clear ID, a mobile digital ID available to US passport holders. The system allows travelers to verify their identity at more than 250 TSA checkpoints using a QR code generated through the Clear app.
Users upload a photo of their passport and a selfie which is verified against government records. Airport staff scan the code and confirm identity without requiring a physical ID.
Clear says the system speeds up screening and reduces congestion. Privacy advocates however have raised concerns about biometric data being stored by private companies and the long term risks associated with facial recognition systems.
Several states also expanded mobile driver’s license programs allowing residents to store digital IDs in Apple Wallet or Google Wallet. Adoption remains limited since not all airports rental car agencies or law enforcement offices currently accept digital credentials.
Challenges Abroad The European Entry Exit System
While digital IDs improved efficiency in some US airports the situation overseas was more complicated.
During the holiday period the European Union tested its Entry Exit System EES, which will eventually automate border checks for non EU travelers.
According to industry reports trial runs increased border processing times by up to 70 percent, with wait times stretching to three hours or more during peak periods.
The system requires travelers from outside the EU including Americans to submit fingerprints and facial images upon arrival. Delays were reported in France Germany Greece Iceland Italy Portugal and Spain, and Geneva Airport experienced lines lasting up to four hours.
Airports Council International Europe urged authorities to resolve technical issues and staffing shortages before the system becomes mandatory. Officials also warned that raising the registration threshold could further worsen congestion.
New US Border Rules for Departures
In the United States the Department of Homeland Security finalized a rule requiring non US citizens to provide biometric data when departing the country starting December 26 2025.
Airlines and airports will collect facial images or fingerprints at departure gates to help track visa overstays and strengthen immigration enforcement. US citizens are currently exempt from the requirement.
Civil liberties groups expressed concerns over data security and oversight while DHS emphasized that biometric exits align with international standards and could speed up processing.
Analysis The Human Cost of Efficiency
Record breaking travel and new technology highlight a growing paradox.
Travelers increasingly want frictionless experiences moving quickly through checkpoints and avoiding long lines. At the same time digitized systems can create new delays or raise privacy concerns when infrastructure is not ready.
Programs like Clear and TSA PreCheck may also contribute to a two tier system where travelers who can afford premium services move faster than those who cannot. Digital IDs require smartphones and reliable internet access leaving some travelers at a disadvantage.
Looking Ahead Tips for 2026 Travelers
With another busy travel year expected experts recommend the following strategies:
Book early and travel off peak
Secure flights and lodging months in advance and consider traveling on Christmas Eve New Year’s Day or other low demand dates.
Enroll wisely in trusted traveler programs
Programs like TSA PreCheck Global Entry and Clear can reduce wait times but travelers should weigh cost convenience and privacy trade offs. Always carry physical identification as a backup.
Monitor policy changes
Stay informed about EES updates Europe’s upcoming ETIAS travel authorization and US biometric departure procedures for non citizens.
Build flexibility into itineraries
Expect delays during high demand periods. Allow extra connection time and use airline apps for real time updates.
Support sustainable travel
Combine trips choose efficient transportation and support environmentally responsible accommodations to reduce the impact of record travel volumes.
The Big Picture
This holiday season confirmed that Americans are eager to travel and willing to adapt to new technologies and regulations to do so.
The challenge ahead is balancing convenience security privacy and quality of experience. Meeting that challenge will require investment in infrastructure clear communication and informed travelers.
For now keep your plans flexible your documents accessible and your expectations realistic. Travel in 2026 will be easier in some ways more complex in others and very much worth navigating.
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