CLEVELAND, Ohio — The holiday travel rush is real and it’s happening right now.

AAA is forecasting a record number of ground and air travel ahead of the Christmas holiday.

The company says this holiday period will break travel records set during the pre-pandemic period of 2019.

Travel forecast is based on a 12-day period, from December 21 to January 1.

“The highways and our airports are going to be extremely busy, so leave early,” said Lynda Lambert, media spokesperson for AAA East Central.

An estimated 119 million people will travel 50 miles or more.

Nearly eight million people are expected to travel by plane and 107 million by car, according to the travel agency.

Since Christmas falls on a Wednesday, Lambert says many plan the holiday over multiple days.

“Everyone has the same goal, to get where they want to be with their family and friends safely, hopefully and prayerfully, on time,” Lambert said.

Lambert says the best time to travel is before lunch or after 7 p.m.

The least busy days will be Christmas Eve or Christmas.