the 15 absolute worst times to travel

The Absolute Worst Times to Travel

15. Summer Fridays

14. New Year’s EveFlying on New Year’s Eve is very hit or miss and the big problem is timing. If you get delayed you may not make it to your party, event or Times Square before midnight.

13. Monday MorningsIf you like to sit with the suits and hear about “status reports” and “escalation processes” then Monday mornings are the best time to travel.

12. Valentines DayIf you are single or alone this is the worst. Just swarms of people boarding planes with flowers and chocolates in one hand while they blow kisses into their phone with the other.

11. Global ConflictThis one may seem obvious, but it’s definitely worth mentioning. Anytime there is a new war, bombing or terror alert, you can expect beefed up airport security.

10. January (Midwest)This really isn’t exclusive to just January; it’s really anytime from December through February. The Midwest gets about 10 feet of snow each winter (note: just an estimate) and the temperatures stay below freezing for most of the season.

9. Sunday from Las VegasNothing better than taking a trip to Vegas, especially on a Thursday or Friday, regardless of the time or delays, because you are going to Vegas! The other side of this coin is leaving Las Vegas.

8. July 4thIn the U.S. the deadliest day to be on the road is July 4th, the second is July 3rd. This is when everyone drives. Saturdays are the most deadly day of the week on the highways and 3-6pm is the most fatal time to be driving.

7. New York City Friday EveningsAfter a long day of traveling and an hour waiting for your bags at JFK you are greeted with a 5 mile long line at the taxi stand.

6. Anytime You Have a Layover in LaGuardiaNew York City’s LaGuardia airport is a dump, and worse, it’s a dump that has been under construction forever. It’s too small with too much daily volume, no places to eat or relax and not enough bathrooms.

5. St. Patrick’s DayIn general it’s a good idea to just sleep through this holiday, but if you have to venture out, stay off the roads in the early morning the day after. Technically, St. Patrick’s Day isn’t a bad travel day, it’s the morning after when drunk driving is at an all-time high.

4. Spring BreakThe problem with Spring Break is that each year it’s a different time, and even then, there may be multiple weeks that are “spring break” for different groups of students across the country.

3. Christmas EveThe holidays are stressful enough, add travel and children (they are everywhere during this time of the year) and you have placed yourself in one of the seven levels of hell.

2. Super Bowl SundayWatching the Super Bowl in an airport is awful, just a group of people standing around a television while holding their luggage and waiting for an update on their delayed flight. However, being on a plane during the game is even worse.

1. Day Before or Sunday After ThanksgivingWe have all seen the Steve Martin/John Candy movie Planes, Trains and Automobiles and that sums it up pretty well. Whether you are flying, driving or taking a train to spend Thanksgiving with family or friends, expect to lose.