SANTA MARIA, CA – The busy holiday travel period is now underway and is expected to have a significant impact on Central Coast routes and at local airports over the next few days.
According to the Automobile Club of Southern California (AAA), approximately 10 million Southern Californians will travel 50 miles or more from home during the year-end holiday period, which runs from Saturday, December 21, through Wednesday, January 1, 2025. .
Nationally, AAA says about 120 million people will travel at least 50 miles from home during the same period, a record number.
AAA also predicts that 90% of vacation travelers will drive to their destinations, making it the most popular mode of transportation ever.
While most travelers will drive to their vacation destinations, millions more will travel by air, filling airports both locally and nationally.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) said it expects to screen about 40 million people during the holiday period, which runs through January 2.
In an effort to help keep travelers safe on the roadways, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) will begin its maximum enforcement period Tuesday night.
“Our department is sending as many officers out there as possible, not only to enforce the maximum amount of laws here, but to make sure people get to their destination safely,” said Officer Josh Thomas of the CHP Santa Maria office. “It’s not just about enforcing the laws, it’s about helping stranded motorists, and ultimately reaching our family and friends.”
Likely to hold travel this week is the weather in the near future.
While it was mostly sunny and clear Monday morning and afternoon before fog moved in during the early evening hours, rain is forecast for Tuesday, which could make commuting a little more difficult.
“It looks like we’re going to get a little bit of a weather system coming through the entire state. If you’re traveling, you need to space out cars and do a quick tire pressure check, leave 15 minutes,” Thomas said. Minutes before your scheduled time, it’s all about just leaving early, that way you’re not in a rush to get where you want to go.
