Record Holiday Travel Expected for Southern Californians: Driving, Flying, and Road Closures

Holiday Travel Surge

• ✈️ A record 10.2 million Southern Californians are expected to travel at least 50 miles from home for the Christmas holiday.
• 🚗 The majority of these travelers, close to 9 million, will be driving, with AAA anticipating the 10 eastbound freeway to be the busiest.
• 📈 Overall travel volume in Southern California is projected to be 2% higher than last year and 10% higher than pre-pandemic levels in 2019.

Airport and Transit Experience

• 🛫 Approximately 945,000 Californians are expected to fly, with LAX seeing significant passenger numbers.
• 🚇 Travelers are utilizing the new LAX Metro Transit Center to reach terminals, though some find the bus connections to Uber or rentals inconvenient.
• 💡 AAA advises travelers to arrive at the airport early and check in online to avoid counter crowds.

Driving Preparations and Road Conditions

• 🚗 For those driving, AAA recommends checking vehicles for potential issues like dead batteries and tire blowouts, which are common causes of breakdowns.
• 🗺️ Top destinations for Southern Californians include San Diego, Las Vegas, and the Central Coast, impacting freeways like the 5 and 15.
• 🚧 Significant road closures are expected on the 405 freeway between Sepulveda and Mullholland, reduced to three lanes in both directions from Friday night through Monday morning.

Travel Advice

• ⏰ Travelers are advised to be prepared, leave early, and plan accordingly to navigate the expected traffic and potential delays.
• 🚗 Local residents should also be aware of the 405 closure, which could cause significant congestion.