Community Corner
Travel Tips if You're Leaving OC for the Christmas Holidays
Arrive early at John Wayne Airport, check freeway traffic online, and be aware that the CHP is planning maximum enforcement.
This week and next will see crowded highways and airports, with the AAA predicting 94.5 million Americans will journey 50 miles or more from home for the Christmas and New Year's holidays.
The AAA's year-end holiday forecast is for a 0.6 percent increase in travel from last year.
"While economic growth has stagnated and consumer confidence has fallen, Americans will not be Scrooges when it comes to traveling this year,” said AAA Chief Operating Officer Marshall L. Doney.
Here are six tips from Patch if you're traveling out of Orange County for the Christmas holidays:
1. Buckle Up and Don't Drink
The California Highway Patrol will engage in a Maximum Enforcement Period from 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve through 11:59 p.m. on Christmas Day. In addition to assisting motorists, CHP officers will be on heightened alert for drivers who speed, fail to buckle-up, or appear to be driving under the influence.
2. Check Traffic Before You Pull Out
The AAA predicts 91 percent of holiday trips will be by car, so check the traffic before you leave. Caltrans and private services like SigAlert have online maps that show current traffic conditions.
3. Arrive Early at John Wayne
John Wayne Airport will see busier-than-normal traffic, with some 360,000 passengers expected during the period. Airport officials recommend arriving 1½ hours early for domestic flights and 2½ hours early for international flights.
4. Airport Parking May Be Limited
Call ahead to make sure there's parking at public or private lots. You can call 949-252-5200 for information about public lots at John Wayne. Curbside valet parking is available for $30 per day at the departure (upper) level between terminals A and B, or in front of terminal C
5. If You're Picking Up, Use 2-Hour Parking
Drivers picking up passengers at John Wayne are encouraged to use the two-hour parking spaces, located on the arrivals (lower) level of parking structures A1, B2 and C.
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