SOUTH BEND — The two days before Christmas are two of the busiest travel days in December. If you're flying or driving, the newest dose of snow and ice will probably affect your plans.

"Look at this, it's ridiculous!" said one driver.

"We saw two cars separately flipped over," another traveler told WSBT.

The Ermeti family flew from Los Angeles to O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, then rode the South Shore train into South Bend.

"About $2,500 for the four of us," Scott Ermeti said it cost to fly. "It was really expensive!"

Even though AAA expects Christmas travel to be down two percent this year, South Bend Regional Airport Director John Schalliol said all flights going in and out of South Bend would be full Christmas Eve — weather permitting.

"[I've been here] 31 years and we've never seen this combination of events that really resulted in thin patches of ice on the runway that we just can't get off," he said.

Icy runways and a mechanical problem forced an Allegiant Airlines flight to divert to Ft. Wayne Monday night, when it was scheduled to land in South Bend.

"It was a problem that would have allowed them to land if the runways had been bare and dry," Schalliol continued.

Traffic on the Indiana Toll Road Tuesday night proved some travelers were taking advantage of lower fuel prices and braving tricky roads to spend the holidays with family.

"The traffic in airports has been so backed up and we've got five kids," one driver from Pennsylvania explained.

Snow and ice will make travel difficult and dangerous in some spots, but the smallest passengers know it won't stop a very special guest from stopping here this Christmas.

"He's gonna come to Michigan," said Scott Ermeti's son. "He knows everything since he's Santa Claus."

Whether you're flying out of South Bend, Indianapolis or Chicago, you should call the airline before you leave to make sure your flight is still leaving on time.

To Check Road Conditions:
Indiana - or call (800) 261-7623
Michigan - or call (800) 381-8477
Illinois - or call 1-800-452-IDOT (4368)