PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — AAA says this year is shaping up to be the busiest holiday travel season in 24 years, with 1.4 million people in the Philadelphia region expected to travel for Christmas. The organization estimates that 90% of those travelers will drive, though Wednesday’s wintry weather pushed some to opt for trains instead.

Grandmothers Terri Ballard of West Philadelphia and Christine Barren of Marlton, N.J., were among those choosing rail travel at 30th Street Station. “Waiting for the train. Going to Williamsport to spend Christmas with my son and his family,” Ballard said. Barren added, “I’m going to see my two granddaughters… and I’ve got all of their gifts!” She said she preferred the ease of rail travel, noting she could “sit back and relax and let Amtrak take over!”

AAA estimates about 47,000 local travelers will use trains, buses or cruise ships this holiday season. Jeremy Tinsley of Overbrook Park said he was at the station for a different reason, “I’m here to pick my mother up from her 11-day cruise.”

The region’s weather stood in stark contrast to the Caribbean climate Tinsley’s mother had just left. Snow fell early in the day in parts of Philadelphia as well as Quakertown, Allentown, and Chester and Montgomery counties. Drivers reported mixed conditions. “Not slippery. Just like parts where snow is, but the main roads are pretty good,” said Molly Bross of Perkasie. Jessica Weiss of Quakertown said the “roads aren’t terribly bad, you know, just driving slow; a little bit of slush.”

By mid-morning, the snowfall had largely stopped, though traffic delays persisted. “Anytime we have a weather system it will slow things down on the roadways and perhaps the runways as well. So travelers should remain weather aware,” said Jana Tidwell, a spokesperson for AAA.

Some drivers experienced significant slowdowns. “We took 76 so it was definitely slower than normal like 35 miles per hour so we’re like ok!” said Micaela Myers of Wayne. Others encountered no issues. “It was fine! I got here within a half hour. I know it’s shocking,” said Caroline LaRosa of Havertown.

Clearer conditions later in the day were welcome news for the 1.4 million Philadelphia-area residents expected to travel 50 miles or more for the holiday. Travelers at the station expressed excitement about family reunions. “It is a very happy time! We just got our cousin from the train station,” said Myers as she picked up her cousin Elijah Mazelsky who is visiting from Portland, Maine. “I don’t particularly like flying so I wanted to try the train,” he said of his reason for option for train travel.

For many, the journey was the start of long-awaited celebrations. “Making memories with my granddaughters,” Ballard said.

AAA advises drivers to expect improved conditions later in the evening, estimating that traffic will loosen up after 7 p.m. today. The organization also projects that Christmas Eve and Christmas Day will be the lightest travel days on the roads.

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