About 4 million Ohioans — and more than 103 million Americans — will travel more than 50 miles from their home for the holidays. About nine in 10 people will drive to their destination, the highest total volume since AAA began tracking holiday travel data in 2001.
2. It’s going to be more expensive this year to drive to your destination.
Ohio currently has the 17th highest gas prices out of all other states in the U.S., according to GasBuddy.com. Prices are rising due to market expectations of tighter availability, following the announcement of an OPEC deal to cut oil production. That cut in production is scheduled to start in January 2017.
3. Get to the airport earlier.
Jay Ratliff, an aviation expert from the region, said an influx of airport foot traffic means passengers should arrive a minimum of two hours before their departure. “Lines are going to be longer,” he said. “People are flying who haven’t flown in a while, so they will bring things they can’t take on a plane. That slows things down.”
READ THE FULL STORY: Holiday travelers to crowd airports, highways in Ohio
4. Make sure your car is ready for winter weather.
AAA expects to rescue more than 980,000 motorists over the 11-day holiday travel period — mostly due to dead batteries, flat tires and lockouts. The service encouraged drivers to pack an emergency kit and to check windshield wipers and tires before heading out on a holiday trip.
5. This is the busiest time of the year.
Traffic volumes in Ohio typically increase an average of 37 percent for the Christmas holiday and 33 percent for New Year’s Day, according to the Ohio Department of Transportation. The last time the holiday fell on a Sunday – 2011 – the busiest travel days were the Thursday before Christmas and the Monday after Christmas.
QUICK HOLIDAY READS:
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