Record-setting holiday season expecting nearly 120M travelers

AAA estimates nearly 120 million people will travel 50 miles or more this holiday season. Most of those will travel by car, so Illinois’ gas taxes will make it an expensive ride for them.

This year’s holiday travel is expected to break records with 119.33 million people traveling more than 50 miles, according to AAA. For Illinoisans traveling by car, keep an eye out for gas prices in and around Illinois.

Illinoisans pay the second-highest gas taxes in the nation, pushing gas prices to the highest in the Midwest. Illinois is the only Midwestern state consistently in the top 10 for most expensive gas. Those traveling to a different state should avoid filling up in Illinois if possible.

Even if you’re driving within Illinois, check gas prices in your area to save some extra holiday cash. For the Chicago metropolitan area, 4:45 p.m., Dec. 22, will be the worst time for traffic.

Illinois’ average gas price is about a quarter per gallon above the national average. Some local prices may surprise you: Alexander County, which borders Missouri and Kentucky, has the most expensive gas in the state, higher than Cook County despite having a fraction of the population.

Those 119.33 million U.S. travelers include 107 million by car, 7.85 million by plane and 4.47 million by train, bus, reindeer sleigh or other method.