Dec. 26 expected to be worst day for holiday travel, AAA says

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- After the holidays, comes the traveling.

More Americans than ever recorded are reported to be traveling this holiday season from Saturday, Dec. 21st through Wednesday, January, 1, according to AAA.

With an estimated 115.6 million travelers expected through the weekend, travelers should expect delays on the roads and at airports.

According to AAA, more than 104 million of those holiday travelers will drive to their destinations and delays are expected to be the worst on Thursday, December 26 with afternoon delays are projected to nearly double in traffic in bigger cities.

It can be a nightmare with the long lines and crowds, but some people at Philadelphia International Airport say so far, so good.

"It was easy. We went right through the security checkpoints and boarded our plane. Everything has been on time, except for parking. The parking was 20 minutes...but the rest is good," said Kim Watson, of Orlando, Florida.

"We are expecting about 82,500 passengers today and for the week we will be expecting about 730,000 passengers," said Florence Brown, communications director with Philadelphia International Airport.

Brown says 'Tis the season for experiencing travel stress but she adds you can help ease some of the frustrations.

"The best way to decrease stress is to be prepared and that means you get here with enough time to go through TSA and then to find your gate and be able to enjoy the terminal," she said.

Drivers are also encouraged to get a head start on the roads and plan ahead for delays.

"Holiday cheer is at an all-time high this year, with unemployment at historically low levels, and noted improvements in both disposable income and household net worth," said Paula Twidale, vice president, AAA Travel. "Travelers should be getting used to crowded highways and airports, as this marks the eighth straight year of new record-high travel volumes for the year-end holidays."