AAA: Record number of holiday travelers and cheaper gas prices/airfares expected for travelers

This holiday season, 100.5 million Americans will take a trip 50 miles or more, according to AAA. It’s the first time AAA has projected at least 100 million travelers during the holiday season. The projection represents an increase of 1.4 percent over 2014, the seventh year in a row holiday travel increased.

AAA says 91 million Americans will drive to their destination during the holidays. Those drivers should anticipate the lowest New Year’s gas prices in seven years, with AAA reporting the national average price for a gallon of gas could fall below $2-per-gallon by Christmas.

AAA expects nearly 6 million people will fly to their destinations for the holidays, and many of those will enjoy lower fares. According to AAA’s Leisure Travel Index, airfares are 6 percent lower this year for the top 40 domestic flight routes. That’s an average of $174 round-trip.