But if your holiday plans include driving, the Ohio State Highway Patrol says get ready for traffic.  Officials say expect *heavy* congestion wherever you go the next few days.  Ti's the season for holiday cheer...and holiday traffic, no matter where the family gets together.

"PRETTY MUCH JUST STAYING IN TOWN, GOING TO MY GRANDMOTHERS HOUSE OR HOME, WE don't KNOW WHERE WE'RE HAVING CHRISTMAS YET."

But even those staying in town have to face traffic, especially near holiday shoppers.

"I'M VERY FORTUNATE, I ONLY LIVE 10 MINUTES FROM WORK AND MY WORK IS RIGHT OFF 11, SO I'VE LUCKED OUT NOT HAVING TO GO TOWARD THE MALL AT ALL."

But some aren't as lucky, this man's driving 14 hours.

"I'M COMING FROM PRINCETON NEW JERSEY AND DRIVING OUT TO A LITTLE TOWN IN ILLINOIS, LASALLE ILLINOIS WHERE MY FAMILY AND MY MOTHER STILL LIVE."

So with all this driving, officials say a little common sense, goes a long way.

"PEOPLE NEED TO BE A LITTLE PATIENT, TAKE THEIR TIME, AND THEY WILL GET TO WHERE THEY NEED TO GO, BUT THEY DO NEED TO EXERCISE A LITTLE BIT OF PATIENCE THIS WEEKEND."

"NOW IF YOU'RE THINKING TO STAY CLEAR OF ALL THIS TRAFFIC AND THE MAJOR ROADS LIKE I-80, OFFICIALS SAY THINK AGAIN."

"YOU MAY WANT TO THINK ABOUT USING THE 4-LANE ROADS AS MUCH AS YOU CAN TO TRAVEL TO AND FROM WHEREVER YOU GO, COURSE THEY CAN HANDLE THE BIGGER VOLUMES. WE ARE NOT ENCOURAGING PEOPLE TO TRAVEL ON THE BACK STREETS. THAT JUST MAKES A BIGGER PROBLEM."

So even though it seems like traffic problems are everywhere, there are ways to stay sane on the roads.

"I LIKE BOOKS ON TAPE, I LISTEN TO BOOKS."

"PLAN AHEAD, TAKE YOUR TIME AND NO ROAD RAGE."

Showing you can find peace on the road.  The Ohio State Highway Patrol says it's adding extra officers to each shift, watching especially for impaired drivers coming back from those holiday parties.