An estimated 81 million Americans will travel by car this holiday season, but according to AAA there will be an estimated 29% drop in overall holiday travel compared to last year.
Normally, this time of year fuels Sonya Wong's holiday spirit. "Usually when we gather there's about 50 of us and we gather into a 500 hundred square foot home and eat tamales. It's a big celebration," said Wong.
This year, however, it's different.
Like many others, she won't be making the trip to celebrate the holidays with her family, because of the threat of COVID. In Nevada, COVID restrictions limit home gatherings to 10 people or less, from no more than two households. "You know we are probably going to be keeping it close to home and just have smaller gatherings. It will be the 3 of us at home and then maybe some Zoom calls or Facetime," said Wong.
AAA says nationally 34 million fewer people will be traveling for the holidays this year and air travel is expected to see a 60 percent dip.
Instead of the skies, many are expected to hit the road ."We're around each other anyways. So while we're driving we'll be around each other and avoid other people. We won't be exposed to other people like if we were on a plane," said Brittney Straw who is traveling with her mother during the holidays.
Others are choosing to limit their travel or just stay home, so they don't get themselves or their loved ones sick. "The furthest I will travel will be probably a mile. It's nice to have family in a small radius, that way I don't have to go to different counties and cities," said Cantlen Forney who is not traveling during the holidays.
Some drivers say traffic is clearly different right now, versus previous years, because of these changes. "Historically this is my third year of traveling during the holidays. I can say there are less drivers this year because everyone is scared to commute unless its necessary," said Christian Ui who is driving to spend the holidays with his family.
People will have to wait and see if the trends continue in the rush that usually comes in the days leading into Christmas.
