Hoosiers are in the middle of a busy holiday travel stretch, and traffic is expected to stay heavy through Christmas and into the weekend after.

AAA estimates more than 109 million people will travel nationwide for the holiday, including more than 2.5 million from Indiana. INDOT says increased traffic began over the weekend and will continue through the days ahead.

The busiest periods are expected late this week and again from Friday through Sunday after Christmas, with heavier traffic between late morning and early evening. Drivers should plan for delays, even though major construction-related restrictions are limited.

INDOT is reminding motorists to buckle up and put their phones down. While a small percentage of drivers don’t wear seat belts, they account for a large share of fatal crashes. Texting while driving also significantly raises crash risk.

Officials also stress driving sober. December is a high-risk month for impaired driving crashes. Drivers are encouraged to plan ahead, use a sober driver, or arrange a ride so everyone gets where they’re going safely.