AAA says the busiest travel time is expected to be the weekend of December 20th and 21st.
Baltimore, Md. (KM) The highways, skyways and railways are expected to be a little crowded this holiday weekend. “Here in our region, AAA is projecting that nearly 2.4 million Marylanders will be traveling 50 miles or more from home over this busy, end of the year, holiday period,” says Ragina Ali, Manager of Public and Government Affairs for AAA.
Ali says that’s just over a one percent increase compared to last year, and it’s the highest travel volume since 2019 . “The vast majority, or a little over 2.1 million, will be driving to their holiday destination,’ she says. “That was certainly typical of what we see as it relates to holiday travel.”
If you’re planning to drive, AAA says the best times to leave are after 9:00 PM. and before 11:00 AM.
The auto club projects more than eight million Americans will be traveling by airplane. Out of that, 134,000 Marylanders will be flying this holiday weekend. Ali says “pack your patience” and make sure you conform to all TSA regulations. “You don’t want to be the one holding up the TSA line as other people are traveling for the holidays. Make sure you check with the TSA website to see what restrictions it has , what you can or cannot take on the plane as far as you items go,” says Ali.
She says that includes some gifts you may be taking for your family members and friends. “And many people do travel with gifts obviously at this time of year. But you just want to make sure you’re in tune with restrictions so that you’re not taking things that you’re not suppose to and basically holding up that line,”: she says.
Ali says it’s best to send you gifts ahead of time through the US Postal Service, Fed Ex or UPS prior to your trip.
By Kevin McManus