Record levels of holiday drivers expected; be careful out there amid storms in Southern California

Despite a week of dicey weather on the horizon, holiday travels are expected to hit the roads in record numbers for Christmas this week. Complicating the holiday folderol for Southern Californians: A major storm was expected to begin dumping rain on the Southland Tuesday night, continuing through Christmas and possibly into the weekend.

A flood watch will be in effect from Tuesday afternoon through Thursday evening for much of the region, with mud and debris flows possible across foothill and mountain areas, including burn scars from January’s massive wildfires in the Altadena and Palisades areas, according to the National Weather Service.

It remains to be seen how many residents will choose to stay home rather than risk the rain-soaked roadways. Nonetheless, the year-end holiday travel season is expected to to spur a record 10.2 million trips for Southern Californians voyaging at least 50 miles from home, according to according to the Auto Club of Southern California.

That anticipated number of travelers is a 2.8% increase from last year’s volume of 9.9 million SoCal travelers. The Auto Club defines the holiday period as Saturday, Dec. 20, through Jan. 1.

“Year-end travel brings together everything from family road trips and friends’ getaways to tropical escapes,” Auto Club spokesman Doug Shupe said. “Each household celebrates the season differently, but the common thread is a shared desire to travel — whether heading home or discovering someplace new.”

The vast majority of SoCal travelers, roughly 8.9 million, are expected to reach their destinations by automobile, while 945,000 will fly and 332,000 will use other means, such as train, bus or cruise ship. Last week, U.S. Travel and Safety Administration officials projected 44.3 million screened passengers, with peak days hitting Dec 19-21 and Dec 27-28.

“TSA expects 2025 to be another record setter following major improvements this year to make airport security more seamless and secure,” said TSA Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Deputy Administrator Adam Stahl.  TSA officials urged travelers to bring their REAL ID or passport to speed checkpoint clearance.

On the highways, Thursday travelers likely won’t see the worst of the weather, with the fiercest waves of the storm will likely pas through on Wednesday. However, periods of rain, possibly heavy at times, are expected on Christmas Day. Moist south to southwest flow will continue to usher in sporadic showers to the area Friday and Saturday, though rain amounts by that time should be under a quarter inch per hour.

The most popular destinations for Southern Californians are expected to be San Diego, Las Vegas, Anaheim, the Central Coast and national parks in California and Arizona, according to the Auto Club.

Amped up traffic can be anticipated just about everywhere, but the eastbound San Bernardino (10) Freeway traveling toward Phoenix is expected to be the most congested route, officials said, with travel times likely to double on some stretches.

Easing travel for folks headed in and out of the mountains: State Route 38 was scheduled to reopen to the public on Tuesday, Dec. 24 at 4 p.m. with no traffic control restrictions, Caltrans officials announced

The roadway   remain fully open through Jan. 5, 2026. After that date, SR-38 will temporarily close again for continued construction Monday through Friday from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm, while remaining open during evening, overnight hours and weekends without restrictions. The scenic highway in links Interstate 10 in Redlands to State Route 18 near Big Bear Lake through the San Bernardino Mountains.

Officials reminded motorists, however, that the corridor is in burn scar area. Caltrans has amped up teams to keep watch on SR-38, as well as SR-330 and SR-18, during this week’s storm and may close off any any of these routes if conditions require.

Auto Club officials also said Dec. 26 will be a particularly busy travel day, as people make post-Christmas moves.

Nationally, 122.4 million Americans are expected to travel for the holidays, also a record. The figure is 2.7 million higher than last year’s figure.

Meanwhile, officials around the region stepped up to be ready for the week of sloppy weather.

The city of Los Angeles’ Emergency Operations Center was activated Monday in anticipation of the storm and to help coordinate response efforts by the Emergency Management Department, police and fire departments and county Public Works officials.

“Los Angeles city personnel are preparing for the storm this holiday week,” Mayor Karen Bass said in a statement. “First responders, public works crews, and utility personnel are ready to respond to potential impacts due to the weather. Angelenos planning to travel to spend time with family and loved ones this holiday week should use caution on the roads, plan ahead, and stay informed. Sign up for emergency alerts at NotifyLA.org.”

According to the mayor’s office, the Los Angeles Fire Department will have increased staffing in place to respond to swift-water rescues or mud and debris flows. Crews from the Department of Water and Power, Street Services and L.A. Sanitation are also on standby.

City News Service and the Associated Press contributed to this report