Chicago airports expect 3.36 million spring break travelers

Chicago's airports are preparing for a busy travel season as spring break begins. The Chicago Department of Aviation expects over 3.36 million travelers to use O'Hare and Midway airports from March 20 to March 31. This is a 4% increase compared to last year. March 21 is expected to be the busiest day at O'Hare, with more than 279,000 passengers anticipated. Midway's busiest day will be March 29, with around 56,000 travelers projected. To handle the crowds, airport officials recommend arriving at least two hours before domestic flights and three hours before international ones. They also suggest using public transportation to avoid traffic. Construction on the Kennedy Expressway may cause additional delays. Travelers like Douglas Lee, a Northwestern University senior, are preparing for heavy traffic and crowded airports. Some travelers are choosing road trips instead of flying to save money. However, gas prices in the Chicago area have risen sharply, now averaging about $3.59 per gallon. Patrick De Haan from GasBuddy noted that gas prices increase in spring as refineries switch to summer blends, which are more expensive. Despite the increase, prices are lower than last year. The national average is $3.12, about 40 cents less than in 2024. Gabriela Ayala, another senior from Northwestern, is driving to Utah and New Mexico. She says flying was too costly and bringing camping gear through security would be a hassle. To manage expenses, she plans to share costs with friends. Airport officials expect travel to remain busy even after spring break as airlines expand their services. They anticipate an increase in available routes, connecting travelers to about 265 destinations worldwide this summer, up from 250 last year.