Headed home for the holidays? So are millions of other Americans.
Here's a breakdown of what you need to know before you go.
Driving:
According to AAA, the average price per gallon for gas nationwide had dropped below $2-- the lowest levels since 2009.
Kansas City is the metro area with the lowest gas prices in the country, averaging $1.68 a gallon.
"Incomes are rising and fuel prices are down so holiday miles driven are going up considerably. They are expected to set a record this year," said Jeff Deatherage of the Professional Energy.
Due to low gas prices, AAA predicts 91 million travelers will be driving.
According to WAZE, a traffic navigating application, the busiest time to be driving is Wednesday, Dec. 23.
The second busiest time is expected be Thursday from 3 to 6 p.m.
This year, traffic fatalities have spiked in Missouri. The Missouri Highway Patrol will increase troopers during the holiday rush.
"Last year we had almost 1100 crashes just around this time," said Sgt Bill Lowe of the Missouri State Highway Patrol. "So realize there's a lot of people out and you have to maintain an awareness of what you're doing as well as what everybody else is doing."
Flying:
Kansas City International Airport reopened a runway Wednesday that has been under reconstruction since May.
Airport officials hope it will help cut taxing times, shorten flight times and minimize delays.
On Wednesday, most flights were departing on time with exceptions to the Northeast.
Heavy fog caused problems early Wednesday morning for those passengers traveling to and from Philadelphia, New York and DC. Passengers could feel that ripple effect throughout the day.
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Ariel Rothfield can be reached at ariel.rothfield@kshb.com.
