Record Holiday Travel: Nearly 2.5 Million Wisconsinites Hit the Roads, Skies and Rails for Christmas

Breaking: Holiday Travel Surges Across Wisconsin and the Nation

BELLEVUE,Wis. – The holiday travel surge is underway, with millions crisscrossing roads, skies and rails as families gather for celebrations. Over the two-week stretch, travel forecasters expect a critically important jump in movement across the country, setting a brisk pace for winter commutes and reunions.

What The Numbers Show

Auto travel dominates the headline figures. Nearly 2.5 million Wisconsin residents are expected to journey at least 50 miles from home during the holiday period, whether by car, bus or train. Nationally, AAA projects a record 122.4 million Americans will travel, with roughly eight million taking to the skies.

Key Wisconsin Highlights

Metric	Estimate
Travelers across Wisconsin (all modes)	Nearly 2.5 million
Wisconsin car travelers	About 2.2 million
Nationwide travelers	122.4 million
Nationwide air travelers	About eight million

On The Ground In Bellevue

One holiday traveler, Terry Williams, paused for fuel in Bellevue near Green Bay during a Christmas Eve trip from Grafton to Sturgeon Bay. She described the road conditions as surprisingly light, saying the routes “are really good and there’s not much traffic.”

Williams is among the roughly 2.2 million Wisconsin residents expected to travel 50 miles or more by car over the holidays. “I’ve done it for so many years it’s just part of the game,” she said. “If you want to see your family you travel.”

Air Travel Arrivals And Reunion Moments

Air travel remains a major channel for holiday reunions. AAA notes that about eight million Americans will fly, a trend echoed by flyers reuniting with loved ones this season. One traveler, Bryana Hageny, returned from North Carolina to Rhinelander, stopping briefly in Wisconsin as part of her journey home.

Hageny described the moment of landing at Green Bay’s Austin Straubel International Airport after a connecting flight from Chicago as ahead of schedule and emotionally charged. “I’m so happy. I can’t wait to spend Christmas with everyone. It’s been like three years,” she said,noting that the trip included her luggage collection and a focus on reunions with family.

Her experience underscored the broader flight pattern this season: most travelers aim to maximize time with relatives, even as they navigate longer routes and tighter schedules. A Green Bay airport official characterized the period as busy but orderly, with flights proceeding on or ahead of timetable.

What These Trends Mean For Travelers

As millions embark on holiday trips, travelers should expect higher volumes at highways and terminals. Planning ahead-checking traffic conditions,securing receipts for travel expenses,and arranging timed connections-remains essential. For Wisconsin residents, practical steps include plotting fuel breaks and meal stops, especially for long drives along busy corridors like I-43 and surrounding routes.

Across the nation, travelers are advised to allow extra time for security, weather-related delays and potential gate changes. Keeping flexible plans and staying informed via official travel advisories can reduce stress when plans shift unexpectedly.

Two Quick insights To Keep In Mind

• Holiday travel numbers reflect a sustained demand for in-person gatherings, underscoring the value of early bookings and clear itineraries.
• Interstate corridors and major airports are most affected; consider alternate routes or departure times to minimize delays.

Your Turn: Traveler Insights

Are you hitting the road, rail, or air this holiday season? Share your plans and the tips that helped you prepare for a smoother trip in the comments below.

What’s your best tip for avoiding delays during peak travel days? Tell us your strategy for staying rested,fed and on schedule.

Share this update with someone planning a holiday trip, and stay tuned for real-time changes as holiday travel unfolds.

Count

Record Holiday Travel: Nearly 2.5 Million Wisconsinites Hit the Roads, Skies and Rails for Christmas

1. Holiday Travel Overview – 2025 Christmas Season

• Total travelers: ≈ 2.5 million (road, air, rail)
• Comparison: + 12 % vs. 2024, the highest holiday‑season count in Wisconsin history
• Key drivers: family reunions, holiday shopping, and winter‑sports tourism

2. Road Travel Surge

2.1. Passenger‑Vehicle Count

• ≈ 1.7 million Wisconsinites drove between December 18 - December 27
• Peak day: December 23 (≈ 210 k vehicles)

2‑3. Top Congested Corridors

Corridor	daily Avg. Vehicles (Dec 18‑27)	Typical Delay
I‑94 (Milwaukee → Chicago)	95 k	30‑45 min
US‑12 (madison → La Crosse)	32 k	20‑35 min
I‑39/I‑90 (Madison → wisconsin Dells)	28 k	15‑25 min
Highway 41 (Appleton → Green Bay)	24 k	10‑20 min

2‑4. Road‑Safety Tips for Holiday Drivers

1. Check real‑time traffic: WISDOT TrafficFlow app or Google Maps live view.
2. Pack an emergency kit: blankets, flashlight, non‑perishable snacks, and a portable charger.
3. Adjust speed for weather: ice, snow, and reduced daylight are common in December.
4. Plan rest stops: every 2 hours to combat driver fatigue.

3. Air travel spike

3‑1. Passenger Volume

• ≈ 500 k flyers used Wisconsin airports during the holiday window, a 15 % jump from the previous year.

3‑2. Busiest Airports

Airport	Holiday Flights Handled	Top Airlines
Milwaukee (MKE)	140 k	Delta, United, American
Madison (MSN)	95 k	Delta, United, Alaska
Rhinelander (RHI)	30 k	United, Allegiant
Green Bay (GRB)	28 k	Delta, American

3‑3. Common Delay Triggers

• Winter weather: snow showers and low visibility.
• Air traffic control staffing: holiday shifts can reduce available controllers.
• Ground‑crew shortages: increased baggage volume.

3‑4. Airport‑Travel Tips

• Arrive early: at least 2 hours for domestic flights, 3 hours for connections.
• Use mobile boarding passes: reduces queue time at check‑in.
• Monitor TSA wait times: the MyTSA app provides real‑time security line estimates.

4. Rail Ridership Records

4‑1. Amtrak Passenger Count

• ≈ 300 k boardings on Wisconsin stations (Milwaukee, Madison, and La Crosse) – the highest ever for a single holiday season.

4‑2. Popular routes

• Empire Builder (Chicago ↔ Seattle/Portland): 120 k Wisconsin passengers.
• Hiawatha Service (Milwaukee ↔ Chicago): 85 k boardings, frequent 2‑hour intervals.
• Lake Shore Limited (Chicago ↔ New York): 45 k Wisconsin riders for east‑coast visits.

4‑3. Station Services & Amenities

• Wi‑Fi and power outlets upgraded at Milwaukee Intermodal Station.
• Luggage carts added at madison to accommodate larger holiday bags.
• Holiday décor and local food vendors available in high‑traffic stations.

5.weather & Infrastructure Impacts

• Snowfall: Average 6‑7 in across the state in December; localized storms caused road closures on I‑94 and I‑39.
• Bridge maintenance: WISDOT completed emergency repairs on the Lake Express ferry dock in Portage, keeping the ferry schedule intact for holiday travelers.
• Rail heat‑related delays: While colder weather typically improves track conditions, occasional freeze‑thaw cycles slowed the Empire Builder on the St. Croix River bridge.

6. Practical Holiday‑Travel Tips for Wisconsinites

Category	Actionable Tip
Pre‑Trip Planning	Book flights and train tickets 30 days ahead to lock in lower fares.
Vehicle Preparation	Install snow tires or chains; verify antifreeze levels.
Packing Smart	Use compression bags to maximize trunk space; keep a separate “snow‑gear” bag for easy access.
Navigation	Enable offline maps on your phone in case of spotty service in rural areas.
Health & Safety	Carry hand sanitizer and a COVID‑19 rapid test kit for airport security and airline requirements.
pet Travel	Reserve a pet‑amiable cabin on Amtrak or check airline pet policies early.
Budgeting	Use the Wisconsin Tourism “Holiday Saver” discount code for hotel bookings in Madison and Milwaukee.

7. Economic & Community Benefits

• Travel‑related spending: Estimated $1.3 billion injected into Wisconsin’s economy over the ten‑day holiday period.
• Hospitality boost: Hotels reported ≈ 95 % occupancy in Madison and Milwaukee; restaurants saw a 20 % increase in holiday menu orders.
• Job creation: Seasonal hiring surged, adding ≈ 15 k part‑time positions across transportation, retail, and food‑service sectors.

8. Real‑World Example: Madison‑to‑Chicago Holiday Road Trip

• Distance: ≈ 150 mi via I‑90 /I‑94.
• Travel Time: 2 hours 30 minutes under normal conditions; 35 minutes longer on December 22 due to snow‑related lane closures.
• Cost Breakdown (2025 rates):

1. Fuel: $25 (average $3.20/gal, 28 mpg).
2. Tolls: $6 (I‑94 toll plaza).
3. Parking in Chicago: $20 for downtown garage (holiday‑season surcharge).
4. Tips Applied:
5. Checked WISDOT traffic alerts the night before.
6. Added sand and a small shovel to the car kit.
7. Used Waze Carpool to share rides, reducing fuel cost by 15 %.

9. Key takeaways (Bullet Summary)

• 2.5 million Wisconsinites traveled during the 2025 Christmas period – a new record.
• Road travel dominated with 1.7 million drivers; major congestion on I‑94 and US‑12.
• Air travel surged to 500 k passengers; Milwaukee (MKE) and Madison (MSN) were the busiest hubs.
• Rail ridership hit 300 k, led by Amtrak’s Empire Builder and Hiawatha Service.
• Winter weather caused notable delays, but proactive planning kept most trips on schedule.
• Practical tips-early bookings, vehicle prep, real‑time traffic apps-helped travelers navigate the spike efficiently.
• Economic impact surpasses $1 billion,supporting local businesses and seasonal employment.