Buckle up, road warriors and sky-high adventurers, holiday travel season is officially here, and it’s gonna be wild.

This Fourth of July weekend, nearly a million travelers are expected to flood San Francisco International Airport, signaling what experts are calling a massive summer travel boom. But before you start panic-sweating about security lines and highway gridlock, we’ve got the inside scoop on navigating the chaos.

The Airport Hustle

SFO is expecting a 4% increase in passengers compared to last year, which means you’ll want to channel your inner zen master. Pro tip: arrive two hours early for domestic flights and three hours for international. If you’re sporting a Real ID, you’ll breeze through; if not, budget some extra time for screening.

Road Trip Rescue

For all you Tahoe-bound road warriors, there’s some good news on the highway front. Caltrans has added new carpool lanes between Fairfield and Vacaville, which means I-80 might actually be somewhat merciful this year. The express lanes are basically a traffic pressure valve for anyone heading toward Tahoe, Reno, or Sacramento.

The Return Rush

Here’s a local travel secret: while people might scatter throughout Thursday and Friday, everyone seemingly returns at the exact same time, 5 p.m. on Sunday. The Metropolitan Transportation Commission’s John Goodwin calls it the Bay Area’s unwritten travel law. His advice? Hit the road as early as possible to dodge the epic traffic jam.

Whether you’re flying or driving, the key is preparation. Pack snacks, download podcasts, and remember: the journey is part of the adventure. Happy travels, Tahoe fam, may your holiday be as smooth as freshly groomed powder.