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Last updated: September 28, 2026
Most Americans don’t fly for the holidays. They drive. For last year’s year-end holidays, AAA projected a record 122.4 million people would travel 50+ miles from home, and 109.5 million of them, about 9 out of 10, by car. AAA also answered more than 860,000 roadside calls during the previous year-end holiday period, mostly for dead batteries, flat tires and empty gas tanks. Nearly all of those are preventable. Here’s how to plan the drive, prep the car and pack a winter kit.
1. Pick the Right Time to Leave
Traffic is predictable. Based on AAA and INRIX traffic data for last year’s holidays:
- Worst times: the afternoons and evenings (roughly 1 to 8 p.m.) of the days just before Christmas, and late mornings through evenings on the days after it.
- Best times: early mornings (before about 10 a.m.) or late at night on peak days.
- Quietest days: Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day usually have the lightest traffic.
For Thanksgiving, the same pattern applies: leaving the Tuesday before, or very early Wednesday morning, beats Wednesday afternoon. Check a live traffic app before you go and have a backup route ready.
2. The 15-Minute Car Check (Do It a Week Before)
- Battery: Cold weather is hard on batteries, and dead batteries top AAA’s call list. If yours is 3 to 5 years old, ask any auto parts store to test it. Most do it free.
- Tires: Check the pressure when the tires are cold (it drops as temperatures fall) and look at tread depth. Our guide explains the numbers on the side: How to Read Your Tire’s Sidewall.
- Wipers and fluid: Replace streaky blades and fill up with winter washer fluid that won’t freeze.
- Lights: Walk around the car with the headlights, brake lights and turn signals on.
- Fluids: Oil and coolant (antifreeze) at the right levels.
- Spare tire: Make sure it’s inflated and the jack is actually in the trunk.
3. Pack a Winter Emergency Car Kit
If you get stuck in snow or break down on a cold night, help can take hours. Keep these in the car from November through March:
- Phone charger and a charged power bank
- Jumper cables or a portable jump starter
- Flashlight with fresh batteries, plus road flares or reflective triangles
- Warm blanket, hats, gloves and extra socks for everyone
- Ice scraper and snow brush
- A small shovel and a bag of sand or cat litter for traction
- Water and non-perishable snacks
- Basic first aid kit and any daily medications
- Tire pressure gauge
Most of this you already own. Gather it in one bin or bag so it’s easy to move between cars. Charging gear is covered in our Best Portable Travel Chargers guide.
4. Drive Smart in Winter Weather
- Keep the gas tank at least half full. It gives you a buffer in traffic jams and stops fuel lines from freezing.
- Slow down and leave space. Stopping distances grow a lot on wet, icy or snowy roads.
- Watch for black ice on bridges, overpasses and shaded spots, even when the road looks dry.
- Move Over: When you see a stopped emergency vehicle or tow truck, slow down and change lanes if you safely can. It’s the law in every state.
- Take breaks every two hours or so. Drowsy driving is a real danger on long holiday drives.
- Plan a sober ride. Holiday parties and long drives don’t mix. Pick a designated driver or use a ride service.
5. If You Get Stuck
- Stay with your car. It’s your shelter and it’s easier for rescuers to find.
- Call for help and share your exact location from your phone’s map.
- Keep the exhaust pipe clear of snow before running the engine for heat. A blocked tailpipe can fill the car with carbon monoxide.
- Run the engine about 10 minutes each hour for heat, and crack a window slightly.
- Make yourself visible with hazard lights or a bright cloth on the antenna.
6. Before You Leave the House
- Tell someone your route and when you expect to arrive.
- Check the weather for your whole route, not just your destination.
- Download offline maps in case you lose signal.
- Keep holiday gifts out of sight in the trunk when you stop, so the car doesn’t tempt thieves.
FAQ
Do I need snow tires?
If you live in or drive through places with regular snow and ice, dedicated winter tires grip far better than all-season tires in the cold. For occasional light snow, good all-season tires with plenty of tread are usually enough.
Is roadside assistance worth it?
Often yes for a long winter drive. Check whether you already have it through your car insurance, a newer car’s warranty or a credit card before paying for a separate plan.
Should I rent a car instead of driving my own?
If your car is older or due for major repairs, renting for a long trip can be cheaper than a breakdown far from home, and it saves wear and tear.
The Bottom Line
A safe holiday drive comes down to three things: leave at the right time, check the car a week early and keep a winter kit in the trunk. Most holiday breakdowns are dead batteries, flat tires and empty tanks, and all three are easy to prevent. Flying instead? Know your rights first: Flight Cancelled or Delayed? Your Refund Rights in 2026.