AAA: 2016 Will Be The Most-Traveled Year-End Holiday Season On Record

DEARBORN (WWJ) - Estimates from AAA say nearly 3.5 million people from Michigan will travel for the year-end holidays, the highest total volume since AAA began tracking holiday travel data in 2001.

The auto club says a record number of Michiganders -- about 3 million -- will drive 50 miles or more, representing a 2.5 percent increase over last year, or roughly 80,000 more travelers.

"This will be the most-traveled year-end holiday season on record, particularly for those who drive," Joseph Richardson Jr., AAA President and CEO, said in a statement.

More than 180,000 Michiganders will fly, representing a nearly 3 percent increase over last year and the highest volume of air passengers since 2004. And over 104,000 Michiganders will use other modes of travel such as boats, trains and buses to travel this holiday season, representing a nearly 3 percent increase over last year and the highest volume of other modes of transportation since 2009.

AAA says the increase in holiday travel is being boosted by additional consumer spending, a result of improvements in the labor market and rising wages. Additionally, relatively low gas prices and increased consumer optimism are seen as factors.

The year-end holiday travel period is defined as Dec. 23 to Jan. 2, one day fewer than last year's holiday period. It includes Christmas, Hanukkah and New Year's Day.

Warm-weather destinations top the list of most popular holiday destinations

With the exception of New York City—an-ever popular holiday destination—warm-weather locales in Nevada, Florida and California top the list of most popular destinations for this holiday season, based on AAA.com bookings.

1.Las Vegas, Nevada
2.Orlando, Florida
3.New York City
4.San Diego, California
5.Anaheim, California