1.1 Million Philly-Area Residents to Travel During Holiday Season: AAA

More than 1.1 million Philadelphia-area residents will be traveling for the 2016 holiday season, according to estimates from AAA. That includes the period of Friday, December 23, through Monday, January 2, 2017.

The total estimate for the Philadelphia area, which includes Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery counties, is 1,170,857. That represents a 0.5 percent increase over the 2015 travel numbers, despite the fact that this year includes one less travel day than last year. A total of 28 percent of Philadelphia residents will be traveling, AAA said.

More than 90 percent of those will be traveling by car, according to estimates.

National travel rates have also increased from 2015, going up by 1.5 percent to 103.1 million.

“Tis the season for holiday travel, and this year more Americans as well as Philly-area residents will travel to celebrate the holidays and ring in the New Year than ever before,” said Jana L. Tidwell, Manager of Public and Government Affairs for AAA Mid-Atlantic. “The travel increase is a result of improvements in the labor market and rising wages. Lower gas prices and increased consumer optimism are also prompting more Americans than ever to set out to celebrate the holidays.”

Travel in the Philadelphia region increased at a similar rate this year during the Thanksgiving holiday. Roughly half a million residents traveled that weekend 2016.

AAA said that nationally, gas prices are slightly higher for 2016 than they were for 2015, but they remain significantly lower than 2014.

The long range forecast indicates that snow showers could be possible on December 23, and that rain is possible during the week after Christmas. Preliminary forecasts say that temperatures are expected to be in the 40's on most days, according to Weather.com.

AAA offers the following tips for those who may encounter winter weather conditions:

• Check windshield wipers and inspect tires to ensure safe drivability before setting out.
• Pack an emergency kit containing a snow shovel, flashlight, ice scraper, jumper cables, warning devices and extra warm clothing for everyone riding in the vehicle.
• When driving, slow down and do not tailgate.
• Leave following distances to a minimum of five to six seconds to allow additional braking room should a sudden stop become necessary.

Patch file photo.