Holiday driving expected to be up

CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) - With gas prices lower and air fares higher, the highways are expected to be more crowded this holiday season.

AAA expects more than 93 million people to spend part of their holiday on the road.

Airline ticket prices aren't getting any cheaper, and there are fewer seats available.

Matthew Bess of Springfield would have driven to Florida for Christmas If his wife hadn't just given birth. Instead he expects family to visit him from all over the country.

“I would say so,” said Bess. “I mean with the price of gas, a little extra to gas up and come visit, I would say for sure, definitely.”

AAA predicts nearly 85 million people will travel at least 50 miles from home between December 22nd through the first of the year, and that would be a new record for that time period.