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It's likely a staycation.
AAA Travel expects the vast majority of Americans will stay home this holiday season.
Public health concerns and travel guidance are influencing their decisions not to travel over the year-end holidays, a period that typically sees high demand for vacations and road trips, the agency noted.
While AAA expects at least 34 million fewer travelers compared to last year's holiday season, as many as 84.5 million Americans may still travel from Dec. 23 through Jan. 3, a decline of at least 29 percent.
Gov. Mike DeWine urged Ohioans not to have gatherings for Christmas and New Year's eve in order to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
DeWine said data shows people in Ohio "greatly reduced their travel and contacts with others over Thanksgiving. Compared to last year, there was a 60 to 70 percent reduction in the number of contacts people had over the holiday. Some did hold traditional Thanksgiving gatherings, which resulted in some COVID-19 spread, but those appear to be exceptions. Most Ohioans did well limiting gatherings."
That trend seems likely for Christmas and New Year holidays, too.
"During any other year, many Americans would be using up their vacation days by taking a year-end cruise or overseas trip, but this year we expect more people will be visiting with their families and friends virtually," Bevi Powell, senior vice president of AAA East Central, said. "More Americans will spend time at home and in quarantine, which we believe will lead to further pent up demand for travel when the pandemic comes to a close."
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urges Americans not to travel for the holidays this year, warning that travel increases the chances of getting and spreading COVID-19.
And, according to Quote Wizard by Lending Tree, Ohio is the 12th-riskiest state to travel to based on virus-related health risk factors.
There's more: In 2019, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimated 799 auto fatalities would occur across the United States over the Christmas and New Year holidays. It also said Ohio ranks in the top 7th and 12th for accidents and DUI's, respectively.
Also, Ohio ranked 14th for the most at-risk seniors with underlying health conditions. As of Dec. 15, Ohio ranked third for COVID-19 cases.
BEFORE YOU GO
For those who decide to travel, it is important to understand the risks involved and take steps to keep yourself and others safe.
l Plan ahead by checking local guidance and any restrictions that may be in place. This includes what is expected of you when you return home. Many destinations are requiring COVID-19 testing prior to and after travel.
l The CDC recommends taking a COVID-19 test one to three days before travel and another three to five days after travel, plus reducing nonessential activities for seven days after travel. Travelers should be aware of these and other local and state travel restrictions.
l Consistent use of face masks combined with social distancing of at least 6 feet and regular hand-washing are the best ways to lower your risk of contracting the disease. Be sure to pack face masks, disinfecting wipes, hand sanitizer and a thermometer to help protect and monitor your health. Also pack water and extra snacks to reduce the need to stop along your trip.
l Call ahead to minimize any last-minute surprises. Prior to any hotel stay, call ahead to ensure your hotel is open and take the time to ask what protective measures are in place. As for car rentals, ask what has been done to clean the vehicle.
WAIT AND SEE
Most Americans who decide to travel will do so by car, with road trips accounting for 96 percent of holiday travel, according to AAA. Up to 81 million Americans may travel by car, a decline of at least 25 percent compared to last year.
For those who decide to hit the road for the year-end holidays, gas prices remain nearly 50 cents cheaper than this time last year. Recent monthly gas prices are 19 percent below 2019 averages.
Traffic volume and congestion during the holiday week is expected to be less than in years past.
However, travelers in major urban areas could still experience delays upward of triple normal drive times at popular bottlenecks throughout the day. Nationwide, drivers could see travel times about 20 percent above normal pandemic congestion levels.
As many as 2.9 million travelers are expected to book flights for the holidays, a decline of nearly 60 percent from 2019. Air travelers can likely expect to pay lower airfares this holiday season, as AAA has seen double-digit reductions in average flight costs.
Meanwhile, up to 480,000 Americans are expected to travel by other modes, including bus and train this holiday season, a sharp decline of 87 percent as some bus and train trips will be shifted to car travel or canceled.