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Travelers hitting the road at record numbers in Connecticut

Rain could create tricky road conditions as millions travel for holidays

HARTFORD, Conn. — Tis the season for travel. More than a million people across Connecticut are expected to gather with loved ones over the next two weeks--most will do so by car, according to AAA, which has been tracking travel data for 22 years. This year marks the third highest in volume on record.

“I love it. I look forward to this holiday season and traveling to Florida. At my age it’s a miracle I’m still living," said 80-year-old Donald Colburn, who stopped at a Middletown rest stop Monday en route to his home in New Hampshire. “We go to Florida basically every holiday."

Nearly 30 percent of Connecticut residents are traveling this season. The majority by car. Three percent are taking to the skies and few others catching buses and trains. Overall, it estimates some 4.3 million people will be traveling across New England.

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AAA says pent up demand and lower gas prices could be contributing factors. 

“People have about 180 dollars more in their pocket now because of cheaper fuel prices than they did back in June," said AAA Spokesperson Tracy Noble. 

All of that could get tricky later this week when a snowstorm could cause major air travel delays in the Midwest and dump rain across Connecticut highways Thursday into Friday. Connecticut State Police are planning roving patrols. 

“If you’re driving around locally, allow for extra time knowing that people are traveling through—especially 95, 84, and 91 those are big interstates that are used to get from New York to Massachusetts," said Trooper Christine Jeltema. “One thing that we really ask from the public is if they see somebody that’s driving reckless or a disabled motor vehicle to call 911.”

The best days to travel, according to AAA: Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. The heaviest: Christmas Eve and the Monday after New Year's Day.

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