Traveling this holiday? Here are tips on flying, fuel and traffic
An avalanche of passengers surged through O’Hare International Airport Wednesday as the holiday travel season took off.
The Chicago Department of Aviation projects 3.4 million flyers will converge at O’Hare and Midway International Airport between Wednesday and Jan. 2.
The busiest days include Wednesday at O’Hare and Tuesday, Dec. 26, at Midway.
As of late afternoon, security checkpoints had wait times of 5 minutes at Terminals 1, 2 and 3, the U.S. Transportation Security Administration reported.
Statewide, AAA forecasts 5.9 million Illinoisans will journey somewhere between Saturday and Jan. 1. That makes it the “second busiest year-end holiday travel season on record in Illinois,” Vice President for Travel Debbie Haas said.
Airlines expect passenger traffic at O’Hare to increase by 4.6% compared to 2022.
Among the O’Hare travelers was the Kwateng family of Plainfield.
Ashley Kwateng, her husband Prince, and sons, Prince Jr. and Jet, were excited about “going to New Orleans for the holiday to visit family for Christmas,” she said.
“It's funny, this is the first time his family and my family will be together for Christmas ... his family is also flying to New Orleans to meet us.”
Here are some tips to help speed up your holiday getaway.
Airport logistics
Picking up loved ones? The airports offer $3 hourly parking. Or you can wait in a free cellphone lot at O’Hare, 560 N. Bessie Coleman Drive, or Midway, West 61st Street and South Cicero Avenue.
If you’re dropping off, try the Kiss n’ Fly sites at O’Hare’s Multi-Modal Facility, 10255 W. Zemke Blvd., or Midway at West 59th Street and South Kilpatrick Avenue.
Economy parking lots at O'Hare offer rates between $22 and $15 a day. To reserve a spot in advance, go to flychicago.com/ohare/tofrom/parking.
Meanwhile, the TSA recommends getting to the airport two hours in advance.
Traffic outlook
The Illinois tollway predicts Wednesday and Friday will be the most congested travel days, with up to 1.7 million vehicles decking the roads.
Drivers are expected to hunker down on Christmas, with just 1 million cars and trucks on the tollway system, compared to a 1.5 million daily average, officials said.
Across the U.S., transportation experts INRIX expect the worst traffic on Saturday and Dec. 28. To avoid delays, drive before lunchtime or after 7 p.m., INRIX advises.
Yule fuel
So-so demand and low oil costs are providing relief to consumers this holiday, AAA said. A gallon of regular gas costs $3.24 on average in the metro region compared to $3.60 a month ago.
“AAA is forecasting that roughly 104 million Americans will drive to their holiday destinations this year, and they will be greeted with the gift of falling gas prices,” AAA spokesman Andrew Gross said in a statement.
“With pump prices falling slowly each day, it is likely that the national average will slide below $3 per gallon by the end of the year.”
Checkpoint first, wrap later
Got gifts? Presents going through security checkpoints should be unwrapped or in “gift bags that can be easily opened or gift boxes with lids that can be removed, so contents can be inspected if required,” TSA officials said.
To avoid scrutiny, consider putting wrapped presents in checked luggage.
Finally, if you’re waiting until the last minute to book your flight, hotel or rental car - don’t, AAA cautions.
“Despite various inflationary pressures, Americans are still willing to budget for travel. With a record number of travelers, the roads, airports and cruise lines will be more crowded than normal. So finalize your travel plans now,” Haas said in a statement.
Daily Herald Staff Writer Joe Lewnard contributed to this report.