HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Roughly 9.1 million individuals within the Lone Star State will journey 50 miles or extra from dwelling between the interval of Dec. 21 to Jan. 1, in response to AAA Texas. That is 2.2% greater than 2023, however falls shy 3.9% of the report set in 2019.
Out of that quantity, 93% will probably journey by automotive. Journey consultants mentioned many vacationers, notably households with younger kids, desire the pliability and decrease value that highway journeys present.
INRIX, a supplier of transportation knowledge and insights, mentioned the worst site visitors delays sometimes occur the weekends earlier than Christmas Day and New Yr’s Day. Congestion is often minimal on the precise holidays.
Wanting regionally on the Houston space, the peak congestion will probably occur between Lafayette, Louisiana to Houston through I-10 west on Dec. 27 round 5:45 p.m., growing by 53% in comparison with typical commute days.
So far as fuel, the statewide common in Texas is about the identical as final 12 months. Usually, the demand for fuel decreases in December when the climate will get colder, extra individuals work remotely, and buyers purchase their presents on-line as a substitute of in particular person.
For many who might be driving lengthy hours, AAA recommends the next tricks to hold everybody protected on the roads:
- Comply with the pace restrict. Driving 80 mph as a substitute of 75 over a 100-mile journey solely saves 5 minutes and never definitely worth the threat.
- Drive solely when alert and refreshed: Working a automotive on solely 4 to five hours of sleep could be as harmful as driving with a 0.08 BAC (authorized intoxication). Whenever you drive on 4 or much less hours of sleep, the danger doubles.
- Take breaks: A very good rule of thumb is stopping each two hours or 100 miles. Use these breaks to modify drivers or park at a protected location to nap for a recharge
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