Get ready, South Dakota, Minnesota, and Iowa, for unprecedented crowds this Christmas holiday season!

The AAA projects that a record-breaking 122.4 million Americans will travel during the year-end holidays from December 20 through January 1...a 2.2% increase over last year's already impressive numbers.

READ MORE: Top 10 Most Expensive Zip Codes In South Dakota

This surge follows what was already a historic Thanksgiving travel period in November, setting the stage for an extraordinary finish to 2025.

Whether you're driving cross-country or catching a flight, expect to encounter significant crowds across all modes of transportation.

When to Expect Peak Congestion

The busiest travel days will be the days immediately before Christmas and the weekend following New Year's.

Airport congestion will reach historic levels, with TSA anticipating screening millions of passengers throughout the season.

Major hubs like Chicago's O'Hare International Airport are expected to hit seasonal highs, making early arrival times more critical than ever.

Plan Ahead

With these record numbers, preparation is essential. Book accommodations and flights early, allow extra time for security screening, and consider traveling during off-peak hours or days when possible.

This historic travel season means flexibility and patience will be your best companions on the road to
holiday celebrations.

Whether you're heading home for the holidays or embarking on a winter getaway, you'll be part of travel history this season!

Sioux Falls To Iceland And Back...Magical Journey!

Gallery Credit: Ben Davis / Canva

More From KKRC-FM / 97.3 KKRC