Once, when I was very small and before we all had smart phones and in-car DVD players to keep us occupied, my parents took the entire family on a fabulous and very classy vacation from San Francisco to Reno (Amy Schumer’s favorite spot!). I don’t remember much of the actual “fun” we had, but I do remember that the four-hour trip home ended up taking closer to 17, making it the most memorable Christmas on record because everyone in the car hated each other and never wanted to see anyone else ever again.
Which was also difficult, because all four of us lived in a one bedroom apartment at the time.
I’m not telling you all this because my therapist is out of town this week — but he is! I’m telling you because new information about this week’s upcoming travel bonanza suggests that you may also find yourself in the same situation as you’re fighting your way home from Christmas. So pack every last electronic item you have, because your stress is going to start even before you have to defend how you voted with the uncle who drinks a little too much and talks a little too loudly.
Let’s go to MarketWatch for the depressing news:
The number of Americans planning to travel for the holidays this year is set to reach the highest number on record, according to travel and motor club AAA, with more than 103 million people making trips between Dec. 23 and Jan. 2. The vast majority of these people will be driving, bringing 2.3 million more people on the roads than there were at this time last year. Air travel is also expected to increase by 2.5%, with 6 million Americans flying to their holiday destination.
Great! Suddenly everyone wants to visit their families. And that means that all of us are become part of the problem. Why so many people? Higher employment and lower gas prices. Save a bundle on gas in 2016? The idea is to turn all those savings into holiday trips. And with so many people feeling pretty okay financially, that’s translating to more than 100 million people traveling this Christmas.
If you’re wondering whether you should still go on that vacation or call up your mom and tell her you’ll be chilling at home and enjoying Westworld for the first time (everyone’s talking about it, aren’t they?), MarketWatch has some heartening news: You can still happily enjoy all our roads and your family have to offer. Just make sure to observe all safety procedures, don’t drive all night (no matter what Celine says), and take your car in for a tune-up before you it the open road:
…travelers should be sure to take precautions before leaving, including getting their vehicles checked out at a repair shop. For drivers braving winter weather, AAA suggests keeping tools like a flashlight, ice scraper, jumper cables and extra warm clothing in your vehicles. Travelers should also be sure to get plenty of rest if they are driving — one recent AAA study found drivers who sleep only five or six hours a night are twice as likely to crash as drivers who get seven or more hours of sleep.
And here’s a holiday tip from us to you: Don’t curse out your fellow passengers. It never ends well.
