LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — Christmas is just a few days away, which means travelers are getting ready to make their way to their holiday destinations.
According to AAA, for the eight year in a row, we're going to see a record-breaking number of travelers this holiday season, starting this weekend through New Year's Day.
AAA predicts that between Dec. 21 and Jan. 1, there will be 115.6 million travelers.
A majority of them will hit the roads, while about 7 million people will fly. In fact, this year will have the largest number of air travelers since 2003.
On the roads though, it’s not expected to get too crowded. Since Christmas falls in the middle of the week, AAA expects travel to be spread out over the next few days, instead of there being one single big day for travel.
AAA Blue Grass Public Affairs Manager Lori Weaver Hawkins believes the continuous increase in holiday travelers is due to the economy.
"If we look over the past eight years, we've seen the economy recover,” said Hawkins. “So, I think that people have felt a little bit more insurances in the economy and their job security. We've got a little bit more income to spend perhaps and they're putting that towards travel."
Hawkins said the days right after Christmas are expected to be very busy for travel, so it’s important to keep that in mind when planning your trip back home.
She also wants to remind drivers to not drive intoxicated or distracted, and slow down and move over when they see law enforcement or tow trucks on the side of the road.
