If you have travel plans for Christmas or New Year's in Illinois, it's important to consider the best and worst times to hit the road.

Canva
Canva
loading...

One of the WORST TIMES to travel is during the actual holiday itself.  Sure, on Christmas Day and New Year's Day many people are at home with their families, so definitely fewer cars on the road.

RELATED: Over 12 Inches of Snow Possible in Parts of Illinois By Christmas 

This also means that there are fewer services open, like restaurants, convenience stores, and even gas stations. If you do need to travel on these days, make sure to plan ahead and pack plenty of food, blankets, and supplies.

Canva
Canva
loading...

Another time to avoid travel is during rush hour, which are usually from 7-9am and 4-6pm.  This is when literally everyone is commuting to and from work, leading to heavy traffic and longer travel times! YUCK.

Get our free mobile app

If possible, try to schedule your trip for outside of these times to avoid getting stuck in traffic and making your trip as smooth sailing as possible.

Canva
Canva
loading...

The BEST TIME to travel is during the middle of the day. 

There are fewer cars on the road and traffic is much lighter.  Especially on days leading up to Christmas and New Year's, when many people are taking time off work and on winter break from school.

Read More: The Biggest Snow Storm In Illinois History Caused Major Problems

If you're flying out of Illinois, 100% know the airports will be busy AS HECK.

O'Hare Airport in Chicago is one of the busiest airports in the country, and it can get very crowded during the holidays. Try to fly out of a smaller airport, like Midway International Airport or Rockford International Airport, or arrive early to your terminal!

check-in queue at the airport
Getty Images/iStockphoto
loading...

More: Another Reason To Hate Chicago's O’Hare: TSA Wait Times Are Huge

Basically, the best and worst times to travel during the Christmas and New Year's truly depend on your plans and destination.  Consider traffic, airport crowds, and weather so you can plan a stress-free trip.  Safe traveling!

10 of the Best Road Trips to Take When You Need to Escape Illinois This Winter

The 7 Best Places to Go Downhill Skiing or Snowboarding in Wisconsin

More From 97 ZOK