Cecil County sits in the heart of a holiday travel boom, as the Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington metro area ranks as the fifth most popular destination for road-tripping families nationwide.
What’s Happening: The Philadelphia metro area, which includes Cecil County as its only Maryland county, ranks fifth nationally for holiday destinations and fourth as a starting point for road trips, according to a new survey of American families.
What’s Important: Nearly 3 in 4 American families plan to drive for the holidays instead of fly. With Cecil County’s 105,000 residents part of a 6.2 million-person metro area that’s both sending and receiving holiday travelers, local roads will see heavy traffic throughout the season.
By the Numbers: More than half of Americans plan to drive for Christmas (52%), followed by Thanksgiving (44%) and New Year’s (16%). About 1 in 5 families will drive hybrid vehicles, while 6% plan to use electric vehicles.
Why the Shift: Rising flight costs drive the decision for 65% of families choosing road trips over air travel. Time off from work (47%) and family traditions (37%) also influence travel plans.
Between the Lines: Cecil County’s position in the northeastern corner of Maryland makes it a key corridor for holiday travelers moving between Pennsylvania, Delaware, and the rest of Maryland.
Beat the Rush: The least popular travel days are Saturday, Nov. 22, for Thanksgiving, Thursday, Dec. 18, for Christmas, and Sunday, Dec. 28, for New Year’s.
The Sources: Extreme Terrain survey.
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