CHICAGO (WLS) — The holiday travel rush is anticipated to set new records nationwide, both in the air and on the road.
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O’Hare airport is projected to experience its busiest day on Monday. Meanwhile, Midway airport is bracing for its peak day on Sunday, December 29.
According to the TSA, they are preparing to process 40 million travelers by January 2, marking a more than 6% surge compared to the previous year.
United Airlines says it is preparing for its busiest travel period on record, adding hundreds more flights each day.
American Airlines also prepared for a similar influx in travelers. The airline said they expected to hand out more than 6 million bags of pretzels.
Those looking to book a last-minute flight, the cheapest times to fly will be on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, according to Expedia.
One of the most expensive days to fly is Sunday, December 22.
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Meanwhile, 90% of travelers are planning to drive to their holiday destination this year.
AAA predicts 107 million people will hit the road.
Gas prices are also lower than last year. The national average hovering around $3.04 a gallon for regular.
The best time to hit the road is Sunday before noon. After that, experts say the highways will be jam-packed.
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