Experts are predicting another record-breaking holiday travel season this year— and many Americans are taking the road.
AAA says more than 122 million Americans have already begun leaving their homes for Christmas and News Years, traveling an average of over 50 miles to celebrate the holidays.
Yanira Estevez is traveling to Long Island and is looking forward to spending her first holiday with her husband’s family, making sure to leave early.
“I think if you leave before the rush hour, I will say maybe before 3:30— and that's kind of cutting it close— then you should be fine," she said.
AAA says from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. over Christmas weeks, roads are expected to be congested, so it’s best to have a travel plan ahead of time.
And don’t forget to gas up— last year during this same 13-day end-of-year travel stretch, AAA responded to more than 860,000 roadside assistance calls. Empty gas tanks were near the top of the list.
AAA says this is one of the most dangerous times of year to be on the road and is urging drivers to plan ahead, slow down and use extra caution—especially with potentially hazardous weather in the forecast.