SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - A record number of Americans are gearing up to head to the airport or hit the highway this Memorial Day weekend.

Over 3.5 million people will travel by plane, according to AAA predictions. Airport officials say they expect Memorial Day weekend to be one of the busiest weekends of the summer.

The FAA says it expects record travel, with flights peaking Thursday at nearly 54,000. The second-busiest day will be Friday with over 51,000 flights.

If your headed out to the airport in the next couple of days, give yourself plenty of time to actually make it on your flight.

Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport officials say there should be plenty of parking for weekend travelers, and the airport has two new surface lots to help out.

Give yourself plenty of time to get through security. The airport recently expanded its checkpoint area. However, officials are still telling passengers to prepare for long lines.

To get through as quickly as possible, familiarize yourself with TSA guidelines.

Lori Lynah, the Director of Marketing & Air Service Development, says, “make sure you have things in the right bag, if you’re checking a bag or if you’re carrying something on. Make sure you don’t have something that’s not supposed to be in one because you don’t want your bag pulled. You don’t want to be that person that holds up the line.”

Another thing to keep in mind is whether or not you have a Real ID. Hopefully, you already do, but if you’re not sure, you can check TSA’s website for more details.

Keep in mind other passengers who may not have a Real ID as well. That may cause a few delays. If you’re headed to the airport, make sure to check in with your airline for updates on your flight.

Also, keep in mind traffic on the roads as you get ready to leave for any of your weekend plans. AAA predicts over 45 million people will travel at least 50 miles from home over the Memorial Day holiday period, which starts today and ends Monday.

Over 40 million people are expected to travel by car. Officials say the earlier you head out the door today and tomorrow, the better.

If you’re hitting the road Friday, the best time to leave is before 11 a.m. Keep in mind, there may be an increased law enforcement presence throughout the weekend, so drive safely and watch your speed.

If your driving to the airport, give yourself plenty of time to actually make it on your flight. Officials say have a travel plan that starts the moment you leave your house.

“Plan for traffic because of course this is going to be a really busy holiday on the roads. Plan for that sort of thing. Plan for looking for parking. If you’re pick someone up, realize that traffic might affect you as well,” said Lynah.

Officials recommend using the airport’s cell phone lot if you’re waiting to pick someone up from the airport.

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