This year’s holiday numbers are breaking records

The number of people traveling for the holidays – by car and by plane – is breaking records this year.

AAA Colorado estimates 1.6 million people will travel more than 50 miles from home between Dec 23 and Jan 4. It is the most since it began tracking travel numbers in 2001.

A spokesperson with the organization said part of the reason is the low gas prices. Another reason is the date the holidays fall on. Christmas and New Year’s fall on a Thursday, which means the travel season is one day longer than last year and the longest since 2008.

Denver International Airport expected about 166,000 passengers Friday. A tweet said it was the busiest travel day before Christmas and a record-breaking number of passengers through security screening.