AAA: Holiday travel up from last year

Expect crowded airports, heavy roadway traffic and busy buses as millions of Americans make their way to family and friends during the holiday period.

AAA is projecting more than 115 million Americans will journey away from home through Jan 1. 

That is the most in nearly 20 years since AAA began tracking in 2000, and represents an increase of 3.9% over last year, or 4.3 million more people traveling for the holidays. 

AAA warns the worst traffic in the Bay Area during the holiday period is expected between 4 and 6 p.m. Thursday. 

By the numbers: 2019 holiday forecast

• Automobiles: 105 million travelers will hit the road, 3.9% more than last year.
• Planes: With 4.9% growth, air travel will see the biggest increase in travel volume during the year-end holidays, with 6.97 million Americans expected to fly – the most since 2003.
• Trains, Buses and Cruise Ships: Travel by these other modes will reach 3.81 million, 3% more than last year.