People are packing up the cars and heading to spend time with loved ones for the holidays, making the roads congested with travelers.

AAA says roadways will be most busy between noon and 8 p.m. This year, families were given the green light to gather around the dinner table together by health experts. They say they expect the number of cars traveling on the roads to reach pre-pandemic levels.

AAA says more than 48 million Americans are expected to buckle up before going to see their family and friends. New York City is one of the top travel destinations in the U.S. according to AAA, so traffic in the Big Apple will most likely be worse than normal. If you can head out later this evening, travel is expected to be lightest after 9 p.m.

MORE: AAA predicts Thanksgiving travel to reach close to pre-pandemic levels