Southern Californians can expect to see long wait times at airports and congested traffic on freeways during the holidays this year.
And because Christmas and New Year's Day fall in the middle of the week, the weekends leading up to the holidays are expected to be the busiest times for travel.
But the good news for travelers is that gas prices have dropped across the country.
About 119.3 million people will travel at least 50 miles from home between Saturday and Jan. 1 using all modes of transportation, according to the American Automobile Association. About 107 million travelers (or 90%) are expected to drive to their destinations, 2.5 million more than last year.
This year's overall travel projection surpasses the last travel record set in 2019, before the pandemic, with 64,000 people, according to AAA. The agency expects that this Christmas season there will be 3 million more travelers than last year.
“This is the time of year when unforgettable memories are made with loved ones, and travel plays a big role in that,” said Stacey Barber, vice president of AAA Travel. “This year, with Christmas Day falling on a Wednesday, we anticipate record travel numbers the weekend before and after the holiday.”
Interstate 10 from Los Angeles to Palm Springs is expected to take two hours and 53 minutes on Sunday if travelers depart around 7:45 p.m., an 81% increase over the typical travel time, according to a news release. of the AAA.
The 113-mile walk from San Diego to Palm Springs could take more than three hours on Friday if drivers leave around 6:15 p.m., according to AAA.
For the Bay Area, it could take up to three hours to travel from San Francisco to Sacramento using Interstate 80. From San Francisco to Napa, travelers departing on December 21 are expected to take almost two and a half hours, which is an 82% increase over typical driving time.
“With near-record numbers of car travelers expected this holiday season, drivers should expect delays in and around major metropolitan areas, with Sunday, December 22, expected to be the country's worst day for travel.” said Bob Pishue, transportation analyst at INRIX. in a AAA press release. “Our advice is to avoid traveling during peak weekday travel times. If schedules allow, leave early or after the overnight trip.
Gasoline prices are expected to be lower this year compared to last year, when the national average was around $3.12, according to AAA. Gas demand tends to decline in December due to frigid temperatures, increased remote work and increased online shopping. The national average as of Friday is $3.05 per gallon, according to the Auto Club. In Los Angeles, it costs $4.36 per gallon, up from $4.70 a year ago.
Los Angeles is one of the cities with the highest demand for vacation rentals, with the busiest days for car pickup being December 20 and 21, according to AAA car rental partner Hertz.
Northern California is expected to experience a series of atmospheric river storms starting this weekend that could further complicate holiday travel.
“It's going to be pretty complicated, especially on Monday and Tuesday if you try to travel during those days,” said National Weather Service meteorologist Dial Hoang. “Especially in the North Bay, we expect fairly heavy rainfall, increased flooding concerns and the potential for damaging wind gusts, primarily along the coasts and higher elevations.”
