Holiday Travel Rush Set to Increase This Saturday
Year-End Holiday Travel Set to Increase in Southern California
The year-end holiday travel season in Southern California is expected to significantly rise, beginning Saturday, as 10.2 million residents plan to travel at least 50 miles from home. This marks a 2.8% increase from last year’s total of 9.9 million travelers, according to the Auto Club of Southern California.
The holiday travel period extends from December 20 through January 1, during which families embark on road trips, friends take vacations, and many seek out tropical escapes. “Each household celebrates the season differently, but the common thread is a shared desire to travel—whether heading home or discovering someplace new,” said Doug Shupe, a spokesman for the Auto Club.
Of the anticipated Southern California travelers, approximately 8.9 million are expected to drive to their destinations. In addition, around 945,000 will fly, while 332,000 will utilize other modes of transportation, such as trains, buses, or cruise ships. Popular destinations include San Diego, Las Vegas, Anaheim, the Central Coast, and national parks in California and Arizona.
The upcoming weekend is predicted to see heavy traffic on local freeways as travelers begin their journeys. The eastbound 10 Freeway toward Phoenix is anticipated to be the most congested route, with travel times potentially doubling on certain stretches. Auto Club officials have noted that December 26 could also be a busy travel day as individuals make post-Christmas trips.
On a national scale, 122.4 million Americans are expected to travel during the holidays, setting a new record and exceeding last year’s figures by 2.7 million.
