Holiday travel in California is expected to be busier than ever, with drivers facing potential weather challenges and a record-breaking number of travelers on the roads. Despite the anticipated traffic, travelers are determined to reach their destinations. “I’m living right here in Stockton, and I’m heading to Irvine and then maybe on to San Diego,” Bill Meath said. While preparing for their trips, many drivers are concerned about the weather. Meath expressed his worries, saying he is concerned about making it over the grapevine, knowing it is expected to rain heavily.Doug Johnson, a spokesperson for Northern California AAA, warned, “There will be a lot of water on the roads and then sometimes the oil gets up when you have a period of dryness followed by a lot of wet weather. So just know the roads are going to be slick. People are going to be on those roads. A lot of people are going to be driving with you.”Meath, a grandfather, also has family traditions to uphold during the holidays. “I get my hundred dollars worth of lottery tickets because we have a family tradition on Christmas Eve. Everybody gets $10 worth of tickets because there’s 10 of us and then whoever gets the most, they have to go get the rest of them for the grandkids, and all the money goes into their college fund,” he said.According to AAA, a record-breaking number of drivers is expected this year between tomorrow and Jan 1. AAA advises travelers to leave before 10 in the morning or wait until Monday if possible to avoid the busiest times. Last year, more than 14 million drivers were on California roads during this period, but this year, AAA expects more than 16 million.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

STOCKTON, Calif. —

Holiday travel in California is expected to be busier than ever, with drivers facing potential weather challenges and a record-breaking number of travelers on the roads.

Despite the anticipated traffic, travelers are determined to reach their destinations.

“I’m living right here in Stockton, and I’m heading to Irvine and then maybe on to San Diego,” Bill Meath said.

While preparing for their trips, many drivers are concerned about the weather. Meath expressed his worries, saying he is concerned about making it over the grapevine, knowing it is expected to rain heavily.

Doug Johnson, a spokesperson for Northern California AAA, warned, “There will be a lot of water on the roads and then sometimes the oil gets up when you have a period of dryness followed by a lot of wet weather. So just know the roads are going to be slick. People are going to be on those roads. A lot of people are going to be driving with you.”

Meath, a grandfather, also has family traditions to uphold during the holidays.

“I get my hundred dollars worth of lottery tickets because we have a family tradition on Christmas Eve. Everybody gets $10 worth of tickets because there’s 10 of us and then whoever gets the most, they have to go get the rest of them for the grandkids, and all the money goes into their college fund,” he said.

According to AAA, a record-breaking number of drivers is expected this year between tomorrow and Jan 1.

AAA advises travelers to leave before 10 in the morning or wait until Monday if possible to avoid the busiest times. Last year, more than 14 million drivers were on California roads during this period, but this year, AAA expects more than 16 million.

See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel