SUSSEX COUNTY, Del.- AAA’s year end travel forecast says that in 2019 over 119 million Americans went away for the holidays. That number dipped in 2020 to over 81 million but there is expected to be a rebound this year with the expectation of over 109 million. AAA Mid-Atlantic External Communications Manager Ken Grant says there is pent-up demand for people to head elsewhere for the holidays.
"People want to get back together, see their family and friends, and you know see whether it’s old familiar places that they grew up in," Grant said. "Even going out and exploring new things. People just want to get out and travel more right now."
Of the total number of Americans expected to travel over 100 million of them will be in a car or van. With the many things you can do before getting in the car, Rehoboth Beach Police Lieutenant Jaime Riddle says the best decisions need to come from behind the wheel.
"With holidays and celebrations also comes unfortunately some bad choices," Riddle said. "So one thing we encourage people to do is make good choices. Make alternate arrangements if you’re going to go out and have a good time."
Over six million Americans are expected to take their travel to the sky over the weekend. Bethany Travel Owner Cindy McCabe suggests flyers get to airports early to take care of pre-flight tasks.
"We’re saying three and a half hours before your flight because the TSA lines are extremely long you know and there’s not a lot of staffing at the airports and they’re short-staffed which means the lines are long," McCabe said. "We have had people miss their flights when they get there for a normal time."
The Delaware Office of Highway Safety says it is expecting an uptick in drivers on Delaware roads this year. Its advice is to buckle up for every trip, slow down to avoid tragedies, and avoid using a cell phone while behind the wheel.
Whether on wheels or wings, the time is now to plan ahead before heading for happy holiday celebrations.
