Holiday travel is in full swing, with more than 122 million Americans expected to travel through the New Year, hitting the roads and the skies.
Travel experts say this travel season is shaping up to be one of the busiest travel stretches of the year.
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AAA officials say the busiest time will be the weekend after Christmas, with about 3.3 million North Carolinians expected to hit the roads through the New Year.
As many prepare for their holiday road journey, AAA officials say timing matters. Afternoons and early evenings are usually the worst, officials said, adding that mornings tend to be much smoother.
“Surprisingly, we didn’t get into any traffic,” said Anselmo Fishburn, who was traveling back from Charleston, South Carolina, where he was visiting family. “Most of the roads were pretty smooth for us, dealing with the time that we left. We like to leave either really early in the morning or really late at night to avoid that.”
To ease road travel, North Carolina Department of Transportation officials announced in a post on Facebook most major construction projects would be paused through Friday, Jan. 2.
Gas prices may provide a bit of relief as the national average dipped below $3 a gallon, lower than this time last year.
AAA also urges drivers to check their tires, batteries and fluids before leaving. Last holiday season, roadside assistance calls topped 860,000 nationwide.
Law enforcement also wants to remind drivers that this is a Booze It & Lose It enforcement period. Extra patrols and checkpoints are out across the state, and a DWI can cost you an average of $10,000 — not to mention your license or your life.