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Atlanta Ranked As One Of The Most Challenging Cities For Holiday

Author Jeff Gorra

The remaining weeks of the year can be a lot of fun as we hit the holidays. It also can be frustrating dealing with the massive amounts of traffic. So, how does Atlanta fare in terms of ranking the worst cities for holiday traffic and travel in the country?

There are a few different factors to look at here. Obviously, this Thanksgiving week serves as one of the highest volume traffic periods of the year. This is especially true the two days before Thursday and the Sunday after, with friends and family traveling to host sites. In addition, these are the typical days when colleges get out for their holiday break.

In a recent feature by U.S. News and World Report, Atlanta ranked as one of the worst cities in America for traffic. The metric examined here was based on “congestion” in these cities.

Atlanta ranked as the tenth worst major city for traffic. This was largely due to the recorded delay hours and high costs per driver. Chicago ranked number one, with Boston and New York among the top three.

Worst Cities For Holiday Travel

Forbes narrowed down traffic concerns in America by focusing on the holiday months. “Historically, visitors to certain cities have faced a greater risk of air travel disruptions, traffic congestion, car accidents, and inflated hotel prices during the holiday season,” they said when explaining the large percentage of Americans that travel between Thanksgiving and mid-January.

However, the news for Atlanta here is not terrible as it is not in Forbes’ top ten worst cities for holiday travel. Memphis, Los Angeles, Jacksonville, New York, and Tucson rounded out their top five. Nonetheless, Georgia did not escape this conversation unscathed. Forbes lists Atlanta as the 18th worst city for holiday traffic and travel.

“14.18% of flights out of Philadelphia were delayed, canceled or diverted during the holiday season between 2018 and 2022,” Forbes said. To construct this ranking, Forbes specifically analyzes three categories, including overall driving, air travel, and city experience in the greater metro areas.

If you will be traveling in or out of the greater Atlanta area this holiday season and bracing for traffic, it is suggested to aim for off-peak hours as much as possible.

Georgia Has One of the Most Affordable Christmas Vacations in the U.S.

Christmas is a time to visit family and friends and get away from the daily grind. The holidays can be a wonderful time, but they can also be very expensive. From buying lots of Christmas gifts for family and friends to having to pay for plane tickets and travel, holiday expenses can really add up. But, the good news is that there are some affordable Christmas vacations in the U.S. Also, Georgia has one of the most affordable Christmas vacations.

One good thing about traveling during the winter months is that it’s often the off-season for popular vacation destinations. Of course, the holidays are a busy travel time. That makes late December a difficult time to find a deal for travel. But, if you don’t mind the cold and snow, some northern areas of the U.S. offer very good deals. That’s true even during the Christmas season.

Some tips for finding a good deal for holiday vacationing include searching a lot of booking websites, comparing different hotel dates to find the most reasonable ones and finding bundle deals. Also, keep your eyes open for special deals on resorts and hotels that are just opening. That’s because sometimes, during those opening months, new vacation spots try to attract a loyal clientele by offering special deals. One more tip is to search for airfare rates individually even if you are traveling as a couple or a group. If you put in a search for a group of tickets, the algorithms will often leave out information on one or two cheaper tickets being available. They’ll just send you a group of tickets, sitting together, all at the same price. So, you might get a deal if you search for one ticket, instead.

So, what are the best affordable Christmas vacations in the U.S.? Here are some popular spots that won’t break the bank.

Most Affordable Christmas Vacations in the U.S.

  • Lancaster, Pennsylvania

    Lancaster, Pennsylvania, is located in Pennsylvania Dutch Country, and it offers a beautiful view of snowy hills and Amish country. It’s a very old-fashioned type of town, making it a charming winter getaway. There are plenty of fun, holiday-type things to do in Lancaster that won’t break the bank.

    Rowhouse in Lancaster, PA
    Getty Images / 2windspa

    Getty Images / 2windspa

  • Frankenmuth, Michigan

    Frankenmuth, Michigan, is the self-proclaimed Christmas capital city of the world. Okay, so many argue that Strasbourg, France, takes that honor, but Frankenmuth is close, and it’s a lot cheaper to get there. No passport needed. The villiage’s Franconian-style architecture has given it the loving name “Little Bavaria.” Frankenmuth is also home to the world’s biggest Christmas store.

    Clock tower telling the story of the pied piper in Frakenmuth Michigan.
    Getty Images / Michael Deemer

    Getty Images / Michael Deemer

  • Las Vegas, Nevada

    You might never guess, but Las Vegas, Nevada, is a great spot for an affordable holiday trip. Think about it. Most people wouldn’t think to go to “Sin City” for Christmas. Of course, it’s much less the “sin” part these days, as Las Vegas offers fun activities for the whole family.

  • Charlotte, North Carolina

    Charlotte, North Carolina, is a great spot to visit in the holiday season, because it’s not as crowded as other times during the year. It’s also less expensive to visit during the holidays and offers beautiful decorations during Christmas. Don’t forget the many holiday markets.

    Charlotte, North Carolina, USA Skyline
    Getty Images / Sean Pavone

    Getty Images / Sean Pavone

  • Fort Myers, Florida

    Fort Myers, Florida, is a popular destination for snow birds. But, that’s doesn’t mean to skip it during the holidays. If you want to get away from the snow and ice, Fort Myers offers a great escape over Christmas and for prices that are more reasonable than in many other areas of Florida.

  • Boston, Massachusetts

    Boston, Massachusetts, gets cold in the winter, but it also has that classic Christmas charm. It’s a big city with a smaller city feel during the holidays. What’s more, it’s a more affordable winter vacation destination than many other areas, and you won’t have the fight the crowds.

  • Lake Country in Georgia

    It’ll be too chilly to swim, but there’s something to be said for visiting the beautiful Lake Country in Georgia during the holidays. Many tourists recommend staying at the Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee. It’s positioned along 30 acres of lakefront shoreline. How beautiful.

    https://galakecountry.com/

Jeff Gorra is a Boston-based writer who has been with Beasley Media Group since the beginning of 2023. He writes about restaurants and food, as well as sports and rock music. His experience also includes show hosting and in-depth creative writing in rock and reggae dub music. Jeff’s an avid surfer, New York Giants, and Pearl Jam fan, however, if you make unforgettable pizza, he is sure to find you.

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