BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — Thanksgiving has come and gone, now 55 million travelers on Sunday are making their way back home according to AAA.
AAA states this is scheduled to be one of the busiest travel days of the year for airways and roadways.
Erika Santiago traveled from Ridgecrest to Bakersfield for some Black Friday shopping. She says it took her an extra hour to get here and is taking all precautions on the road heading back.
"It was crazy, it was snowing in Tehachapi on our way here on Friday and a lot of car accidents," Santiago said. "The highway patrol was there, helping out and sweeping the highway, it was still a little scary."
The agency says 55 million travelers are expected this season.
AAA says this is the second-highest Thanksgiving travel volume since 2005.
"We are seeing a very strong economy and people are growing in their confidence in the economy and their expendable income," said Jeffrey Spring, a spokesperson for AAA.
Many individuals traveling from the Bakersfield region were faced with delays, closures, coming through the Grapevine. The closures this week were due to snow and rain.
As of Sunday, the Grapevine remains clear.
CHP still warns travelers to expect heavy holiday traffic and possible patches of ice.
Also, they want to remind the community there is a zero-tolerance for parking on the freeway.
"What you want to do is be rested before you drive no matter where you are going, and research has shown driving drowsy is like driving drunk," Spring said.
AAA says that many people this season are traveling up to 50 miles or more and they want to remind drivers to gas up, plan alternate routes and take their time.
