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DENVER – Expect a mad rush at Denver International Airport on Friday as officials expect it to be the busiest travel day before Christmas.

On average, 145,000 passengers travel through DIA. On Friday, nearly 166,000 are expected. On Monday, more than 163,000 are expected, a number DIA officials expect in the days leading to Christmas.

“The trend for the past couple of years has shown an average of 1 million passengers traveling through the airport from Tuesday through Monday of the holiday week,” DIA spokeswoman Laura Coale said in a statement.

Officials are warning passengers to arrive at least two hours ahead of their flight.

If you’re not flying to your destination, you most likely will be driving. AAA says gas prices at their lowest levels in five years.