If you’re traveling for the holidays this year, you’re in good company! Expect to see more travelers than ever on the roads and in the air this holiday season. Nationally, AAA’s projection of 112.5 million year-end holiday travelers will set a new record. The number of people taking vacations and also visiting families and friends this season will cap off a busy year for travel. With Christmas and New Year’s Day falling on Tuesdays, higher than normal travel volume is likely the weekend before. Travelers will notice busy roads and airports throughout the holidays.

The majority of travelers this holiday season will drive to their destinations. Jerry Hooven, AAA vice president of Automotive Services has advice for those taking road trips.

“The most common calls to AAA are for flat tires, dead batteries and keys locked in the vehicle,” Hooven explained. “So having your vehicle serviced by a AAA Approved Auto Repair facility can go a long way in preventing common roadside breakdowns. AAA can also conduct battery testing right in a member’s driveway.”

AAA Western and Central New York responds to more than 1,200 calls on an average December day. Hooven encourages motorists to pack a safety kit to keep in their vehicle with jumper cables, a cell phone charger, snacks and a blanket in case of a breakdown in poor weather.

While gas prices are higher than this time last year, they aren’t expected to deter travelers. The national average is $2.37, while the NYS average is $2.69. Last year on this day, the NYS average was $2.63. The Buffalo average is $2.76; Ithaca $2.55; Rochester $2.66; Rome $2.68; Syracuse $2.57 and Watertown $2.82, as of December 19. You can find up-to-date prices online at http://gasprices.aaa.com/.

When it comes to air travel, Carol DiOrio, AAA vice president of Travel reminds travelers to pack their patience. “Airports across the country, including Western and Central New York, are expected to be very busy over the holidays with nearly seven million Americans expected to travel by air,” DiOrio said. “Travelers should plan to arrive at least 90 minutes, preferably two hours, before their flight and be prepared for security lines.”

If you’re traveling with gifts, check with TSA (https://www.tsa.gov/travel/travel-tips ) for information on how to pack them—you don’t want to get stuck in security with a present that’s not allowed!

However you choose to travel this season, be safe and prepared! Be sure to download the AAA Mobile App and utilize the benefits of being a member, whether that means getting your car checked over before your trip, booking a discounted rental car, or using discounts to purchase holiday gifts.