START PLANNING NOW: HOLIDAY TRAVEL SET TO BREAK RECORDS
Here’s how to avoid traffic and navigate congested airport lines, especially in San Diego
Southern California is projected to have another recordbreaking holiday travel season, which means busier roads and more congestion at the airport.
Approximately 9.5 million Southern Californians are projected to travel this season, which is a 3 percent increase from last year, according to the Automobile Club of Southern California. This year is also projected to exceed 2019 travel levels by about 2 percent.
Nationally, this end-of-year travel blitz is expected to be the second busiest on record, with about 115.2 million people traveling for the holidays.
It also calls for strategic planning so you don’t end up missing your f light or being a Scrooge stuck in gridlock traffic. Here’s what you need to know about traveling this season from Dec. 23 through Jan. 1.
Beware of traffic in and around San Diego airport during construction
San Diego International Airport is in the middle of its biggest construction project ever — a $3.4 billion development that will add parking and more gates.
And while that construction is going on, you need to plan your airport strategy. That means planning for traffic, checking your flights and arriving at least two hours before your flight.
“The most important thing we can really stress to people is that they really think about their journey to the airport and getting through the airport,” said Nicole Hall, spokesperson for the San Diego Airport Authority.
For starters, if you haven’t been to the airport in a while, one thing to know is that westbound traffic on Harbor Drive builds up early. So if you’re trying to get to Terminal 1, make sure you get in the right lane sooner.
While construction continues, the airport’s parking options are limited to the Terminal 2 Parking Plaza, which supports 3,135 spaces. Travelers can reserve parking in advance on the airport’s website. Hall said that during the holidays the structure ends up at capacity and some people are booking as early as two weeks ahead.
If you’d like to avoid driving to the airport all together, Hall suggests using a ride-hailing service or having a friend or family member handle drop-off and pickup. They can wait for free in the cellphone lot off of McCain Road, which is closer to Terminal 2, instead of circling the airport to pick up travelers.
There’s also the option of taking the free San Diego Flyer shuttle to and from Old Town Transit Center, but parking overnight or beyond 24 hours at this lot is not permitted. If
you’re coming from downtown, the MTS Route 992 bus stops by the airport.
While it may seem like overkill to get to the airport two hours early, Hall said it’s one of the best strategies to minimize travel stress. She added that the airport will have live entertainment, such as circus performers, on both sides of security checks to help people enjoy their holiday experience.
Most people are driving this holiday season
As always, most people will travel by car, and about 8.3 million Southern Californians are expected to hit the road this year. Those AAA projections mark a 3 percent increase from last year and about a 2 percent increase from 2019.
“With a new record for year-end travel among Southern Californians, we are expecting roads, airports and cruise ports to be very busy this month,” said
Jena Miller, the Auto Club’s vice president for travel products and services. “Consumer demand for leisure travel has surged this year, and it appears that the momentum is set to carry on into 2024.”
San Diego gas prices are down from a month ago; regular gasoline costs about $4.86 per gallon. A month ago, it cost about $5.22, according to AAA.
Travel volume is up for all modes of transportation. About 829,000 Southern Californians are expected to travel by air, a 3 percent increase from last year and a 9 percent increase from 2019.
People traveling throughout Southern California by train, bus or cruise ship are projected to increase by about 10 percent over last year.
San Diego remains a top destination for travelers seeking warmer weather during the holidays. It is the second most popular domestic destination, behind Las Vegas, according to AAA.
Avoid driving at these times
Traffic will be heavy no matter what around the holidays, but you can try timing it correctly to avoid gridlock. The Saturday before Christmas is expected to be San Diego’s busiest travel day, according to transportation analytics firm INRIX.
In general, the worst times to travel on Dec. 23 are between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. Traffic on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are expected to be minimally impacted.
Northbound Interstate 15 between San Diego and I-10 is expected to be extra congested on Dec. 23. The I-15 freeway from San Diego to Palm Springs is expected to be extra clogged at 5 p.m. and take 2 hours and 50 minutes to travel — about 22 percent longer than on a typical day.
If you’re taking these routes, it’s best to hit the road before lunchtime or after 7 p.m., according to INRIX.