By NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — AAA Travel projects about 7.1 million people in the West North Central region – which includes Kansas – will travel for the year-end holidays, down from 9.6 million in 2019.
"COVID-19 is obviously a big factor on people's minds and in their decisionmaking to stay home," said Shawn Steward with AAA Kansas. "The number of holiday travelers in our region is the fewest projected since 2002."
As is usually the case, but even more so this year, the vast majority of the region's travelers, 6.88 million, will be doing so by car.
"There's a lot more control that way," Steward said. "You can have your family unit, you're not being exposed to other people who, you don't know who they've been in contact with."
If you do choose to travel, check with state and local officials along your route and at your destination to learn about local guidance and any restrictions that may be in place.
"Pack the snacks and the things you need instead of needing to go into a convenience store or a rest stop," Steward said. "That's just less contact you have with other folks."
For the purposes of this forecast, the year-end holiday travel period is defined as the period from Wednesday, Dec. 23 to Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021.