Travel Tips To Beat Holiday Traffic

The holiday travel season kicks off in earnest this week, and people are expected to hit the road in numbers not seen during any other holiday this year.

The Automobile Club of Southern California is expecting 3.3 million of the state's residents will travel this Thanksgiving weekend, 2.8 million of them by car. That would be an 4.1 percent increase on last year's Thanksgiving weekend numbers.

“Many Southland residents continue to have financial concerns, but more people have decided this year that despite those concerns, they will celebrate Thanksgiving with a vacation to create lasting memories with family and friends,” said Filomena Andre, the Auto Club’s vice president for travel, in a news release. “Those who have put off vacations all year, or maybe for a couple of years, are realizing they need to get away and they are finding ways to do it even on a tight budget.”

The Automobile Club had forecast drops in travel during the Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day holiday weekends this year.

Holiday travelers may run into problems Thursday, however. The National Weather Service is forecasting a 40 percent chance of rain across the Inland Empire, with the chance tapering off as the day goes on.

Though the rain may be bad news, the gas pumps are providing good news for would-be travelers. Gasoline prices have dropped 3 cents over the past week in the Riverside-San Bernardino area. But the average price of $3.80 across Southern California is still the highest ever in the week leading into Thanksgiving.

Nationally, the Auto Club expects that 42.5 million people will travel this holiday weekend, also a 4.1 percent increase on last year's numbers. Ninety percent of those travelers are expected to be on the road.

The California Highway Patrol, and other police agencies, will also be on the roads this weekend. The Thanksgiving weekend is a maximum enforcement period for the CHP, which will see extra officers on the roads looking for drunk drivers.

The Auto Club and law enforcement agencies offer several tips for being prepared for the holiday travel season.

The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, in a news release, offers these tips:

• Make sure that your car is well-equipped for travel. Breaking down in the dark, in bad weather, or in the cold can crush the holiday spirit. It's a good idea to take your car in for a winter "check-up." Your mechanic can inspect your anti-freeze, battery, windshield wipers, and other cold-weather components. You also want to be sure that your tire pressure is at the recommended levels, as tires can be hazardous in wet weather when they are filled to improper levels.
• Ensure that you and each member of your family have a communications plan that includes telephone numbers of essential contacts, and a way to contact them (either a cell phone or long distance calling card).
• Inform a friend or family member of your travel route, destination and expected arrival time.
• Have a photo ID for each person traveling, including children. If a proper identification card is not available, take a picture with important contact and health information written on the back. 
• Pack essential emergency supplies in your luggage, including a flashlight and extra batteries, a small first aid kit, essential medications and copies of prescriptions.
• Always carry emergency supplies in your car, including a flashlight and extra batteries, blanket, a small first aid kit, bottled water and non-perishable foods, maps and flares.
• Check local weather forecasts from your route and destination. Make adjustments to your route, timing, clothing and supplies as necessary.

The Auto Club also offers these tips:

• Avoid traffic by trying to pick an off-peak travel time to depart or return home. Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon and evening will likely be the most congested period for outbound traffic, and Sunday afternoon and evening will probably be busy for returning traffic.
• If you choose to travel at night or very early in the morning, make sure to get at least six hours of sleep. Drowsy driving can be as dangerous as drunk driving. If you find yourself struggling to stay awake, pull over to a safe, lit area and take a nap. During long-distance car trips, try to stop every couple of hours to get out and stretch, which will help keep you alert as you drive.
• Plan your route before you leave and check traffic online at AAA.com/TripTik or on the free TripTik Mobile app for smartphones. For hourly updated lane closures and highway closures in California, call the California Highway Information Number at (800) 427-7623. 
• If you are flying to your destination, plan to arrive at least two to three hours before your flight departs to allow for long lines at check-in and security checkpoints. Check with your travel agent regarding how early you should arrive for international flights. Utilize the online check-in feature offered by all major airlines to check in, usually up to 24 hours ahead of time.