Christmas driving behavior trends 2025

Key takeaways

• Best travel days: If you want to avoid the holiday rush, consider starting your trip on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day itself.
• Avoid weekend driving: If you can, steer clear of weekends for long drives. Aim for midweek travel.
• Drive cautiously: Changing weather conditions and snarls near retail hubs can be hazardous.
• Maintain road safety: Speeding is more likely to occur on Christmas day compared with a regular Wednesday. Avoid speeding, and stay safe.

The holidays should be about family, friends, and festivity, but driving to meet your loved ones can be a journey in itself. Christmas travel often means crowded highways, unpredictable traffic, and inclement weather. So, when is the best time to hit the road? Arity’s mobility data reveals the worst and best times for smarter, safer road travel.

What’s different about holiday driving patterns?

Unlike more predictable commuting patterns, driving shifts dramatically during the December holiday season. People forego their short city trips for longer highway drives. This change brings both opportunities and challenges: less congestion in some areas, but more high-speed travel on major routes.

Arity’s analysis of driving behavior during the Christmas period (December 15 – 31) reveals trends that can help you avoid the worst traffic and make the most of your holiday journey.

Trend 1: Longer trips on Christmas day

If you’re planning a big holiday road trip, Christmas Day might be your best bet. Our data shows a 39% increase in trip distance on Christmas Day compared to a typical Wednesday, meaning many drivers are covering more ground — but here’s the catch: overall traffic is lighter. With fewer commuters and more people already at their destinations, highways are clearer, which makes for smoother travel.

Trend 2: Weekends are the real traffic hot spots

Christmas Day is relatively calm compared to the preceding and following weekends. The weekend before Christmas sees a 13% increase in mileage compared to the average holiday period day, as families squeeze in last-minute shopping and travel. Expect busier roads, especially near retail centers and major interstates.

Trend 3: Safer driving behavior on Christmas

The good news? Drivers tend to be more attentive on Christmas Day, perhaps because they’re focused on getting home quickly and safely. Afternoon and evening hours see fewer distracted driving and hard braking incidents, with a 23% drop in hard braking compared to a normal Wednesday afternoon. That means smoother, safer trips for everyone.

Trend 4: Higher speeds, lower congestion

Less traffic and more open roads often leads to faster speeds: Christmas Day is no exception. High-speed driving jumps 113% compared to a regular Wednesday, especially in states like South Carolina, Georgia, and California. The roads may be clearer, but all drivers need to watch their speed and be on the lookout for inclement weather.

What this means for you

Planning your holiday travel doesn’t have to be stressful. Here are best practices for hitting the road for Christmas this year:

• Best travel days: Christmas Eve or Christmas Day for lighter traffic
• Days to avoid: Weekends before and after Christmas for peak mileage
• Expect longer trips: If you’re driving on Christmas Day, plan for extra miles
• Drive smart: Despite fewer hard braking incidents, stay focused and avoid distractions

Conclusion

The holidays are about connection, not congestion. By understanding these driving trends, you can make informed choices that can save time, reduce stress, and keep you safe on the road.