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This Memorial Day weekend, roads in the Tri-State area are expected to experience heavy traffic. According to AAA, nearly 44 million people are expected to travel more than 50 miles from their homes for the holiday, marking a nearly 5% increase compared to last year. Of these, 38.4 million are predicted to be driving, while 3.5 million are expected to fly.
The Transportation Security Administration anticipates Friday to be the busiest travel day of the long weekend, with nearly 3 million people being screened. This year's total number of travelers is close to matching the record of 44 million Memorial Day travelers set in 2005.
"We haven't seen Memorial Day weekend travel numbers like these in almost 20 years," said Paula Twidale, Senior Vice President of AAA Travel. "We're projecting an additional one million travelers this holiday weekend compared to 2019, which not only means we're exceeding pre-pandemic levels but also signals a very busy summer travel season ahead."
Transportation analytics company INRIX advises drivers leaving on Thursday or Friday to hit the road early to avoid mixing with commuters. Those returning home on Sunday or Monday should avoid the afternoon hours when return trips will peak.
Despite the increase in road traffic, AAA expects gas prices to remain similar to last year, when the national average was roughly $3.57. However, prices may creep higher as the summer driving season gets underway.