Airports, roads expected to be full of travelers

Bay Area holiday travelers should expect to see longer lines at the region’s airports and roads with traffic.

The end-of-year storms affecting the Bay Area are forecasted to continue through the holidays and possibly affect travel plans for millions.

Aviation analytics company Cirium predicts a total of 25,000 flights will operate across the airports in San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, Santa Rosa and Monterey between Dec. 20 and Jan. 4.

All airports encourage passengers to arrive early to find parking, go through security, and ensure they have everything ready for their flights. Some airports like Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport are offering gift wrapping services for those last-minute holiday presents, while across the bay, San Francisco International Airport is hosting local music artists to transform their terminals into a more festive affair.

Meanwhile, travelers who elected to skip the in-flight peanuts for a road trip are expected to face delays on highways, according to transportation data provider INRIX. Christmas and New Year’s Day are expected to be the lightest traffic days, but severe weather and accidents could create unexpected delays.

Eastbound Interstate 80 between San Francisco and Sacramento is estimated to face an 80% increase in congestion starting at 5 p.m. Tuesday. Interstate 5, the main highway between Northern and Southern California, is also expected to be packed.

AAA predicts that the worst time to travel is between noon and 8 p.m. while the best time is before 10 a.m.

“Year-end travel is a mix of family road trips, friend getaways, and tropical vacations,” Stacey Barber, AAA vice president of travel services, said. “Holiday celebrations look different for everyone, but a common thread is the desire to travel, whether it’s returning to your hometown or exploring new destinations.”