ST. LOUIS — If you're rolling through the airport to hit the skies, be prepared for the long lines!
Travelers at St. Louis Lambert International Airport are going far and wide to hop on jets for Independence Day weekend.
As to where travelers are going from St. Louis? They say everywhere, including cities in Maine, Georgia, Texas, Louisiana, New Jersey and dozens of others. And they're going for a variety of reasons.
Some travelers told 5 On Your Side they're going to the Essence Festival, going to see their grandchildren or just simply wanting to be back home with family for the holiday.
Dozens of travelers said they paid a variety of prices for their flights, including as low as $20 with the help of airline points and high as $600. AAA said the average price for this holiday weekend for domestic flights is $800 roundtrip.
The Transportation Security Administration, or TSA, expects to screen more than 28 million people nationally between Friday, June 28 through and Monday, July 8. The 11-day travel period is a 5% increase over last year's Independence Day holiday travel, which is a 5% increase over last year's Independence Day holiday.
If you're driving, AAA predicts that nearly 61 million Americans will be traveling by car, which is more than 2.8 million more travelers than last year. Road trips projected by the travel agency are expected to take you about 67% longer than normal.
If you're planning to travel by car, the worst times would be Wednesday July 3 between 2-7 p.m. and Sunday July 7, also between 2-7 p.m.
AAA recommends the best time to return home for drivers and travelers is on Monday, July 8 to avoid rush hour traffic in the morning and afternoon.
Regardless of what type of transportation you take here's a few things you should remember, "Always try to get an early flight," Corliss Morthland said.
Tina Stiles who is traveling with her three sons to New Jersey said her recommendations are to keep them busy while long travel days are expected.
"Pack electronics, bring your patience, just relax and roll with it," Stiles said.
5 On Your Side reached out to the airport to see if they had any predictions yet about the number of travelers expected at Lambert during the holiday weekend and the airport said they will have those predictions soon from TSA.