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With Christmas and Hanukkah just days away, millions of Americans are packing their bags and preparing to hit the road. Meanwhile, Congress is trying — so far unsuccessfully — to find a way to continue 

The federal government will begin shutdown operations at midnight on Friday if lawmakers can't pass a 

 for federal workers to a halt, eventually affecting everyday Americans in all sorts of ways.

Could a government shutdown be the Grinch that spoils holiday travel?

While many federal employees involved in areas like air travel and border control are considered essential and are expected to keep working, a prolonged shutdown could complicate things. 

Here's what to know about planes, trains, automobiles and more.

Air travel could eventually face disruptions

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) was already bracing for a busy holiday travel season. It expects to screen more than 

 passengers at airports nationwide between Dec. 19 and Jan. 2.

A shutdown could throw a wrinkle in travelers' plans, since the TSA is part of the federal government: the Department of Homeland Security.

 that about 59,000 of the agency's more than 62,000 employees are considered essential and would continue working without pay in the event of the shutdown.

 over the 2018-2019 holiday season, scores of TSA employees — 

, prompting long security lines and shuttered checkpoints 

Pekoske hinted that similar problems could arise if a shutdown persists.

"While our personnel are prepared to handle high volumes of travelers and ensure safe travel, please be aware that an extended shutdown could mean longer wait times at airports," 

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which is part of the Department of Transportation, says that more than 12,000 air traffic controllers would continue working without pay in the event of a government shutdown.

Hiring and training would be paused, however, according to its 

, which experts say strains the system and can exacerbate delays.

 for packing and security, the TSA says travelers can prepare for potential holiday chaos by placing gifts in bags instead of wrapping them and making a plan for 

 — especially if they're hoping to travel with only carry-on luggage, as many experts recommend. 

AAA predicts that 119.3 million people across the country will travel more than 50 miles from home between Saturday and Jan. 1, 

It projects that 90 percent of those travelers — amounting to more than 107 million people — will be making their trip by car. And because both Christmas and New Year's Day fall on a Wednesday, it warns that traffic is likely to be especially bad on the weekends.

"There's no set one day that's going to be the busiest at the airports or the worst on the roads, but it's going to be those two weekends for sure," AAA's Aixa Diaz told 

 of the best and worst times to drive during the holiday period (unsurprisingly, Tuesdays and Wednesdays are the winners). And regardless of timing, it urges drivers to follow posted speed limits, slow down and move over for emergency responders, and drive only when alert.

"Driving on 4-5 hours of sleep is as dangerous as driving with a 0.08 BAC (legal intoxication)," it warns. "Less than 4 hours of sleep? The risk doubles."

AAA advises avoiding overnight drives, heavy meals, medications that cause drowsiness and alcohol. It encourages drivers to take breaks every two hours or 100 miles, using those pauses to take a 20-30 minute nap or switch drivers if possible.

 from federal and state governments. That's not likely to be disrupted in the event of a government shutdown.

"Passengers planning to travel on Amtrak trains in the Northeast Corridor and across the country in the coming days and weeks can be assured that Amtrak will remain open for business," Amtrak spokesperson W. Kyle Anderson told NPR over email Friday.

However, Amtrak can't operate indefinitely without receiving disbursements of funding, the 

 said in a statement this week. It warns that a prolonged shutdown "will degrade service, while also slowing down upgrades being funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law."

Passport processing and border security will be largely unaffected 

The inspection and law enforcement personnel at Customs and Border Protection are considered essential, meaning that ports of entry will be open and processing of passengers will continue as usual, according to the 

While Americans still waiting on passport renewals are cutting it close for Christmas, a shutdown is not likely to further prolong that process.

The State Department's visa and passport operations are funded by fees and therefore "not normally impacted by a lapse in appropriations," the AILA explains.

 say that consular operations — both domestically and abroad — will remain "100 percent operational as long as there are sufficient fees to support operations."

However, it says access to passport services could be suspended in certain government buildings run by agencies that have been put on pause. Luckily, Americans can now 

Transportation

Rachel Treisman

Author

Millions of Americans are planning to travel in the coming days. Here's what a potential government shutdown could mean for flying, driving and more — and what you can do to prepare.

What a government shutdown could mean for your holiday travel plans

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