SouthernWorldwide.com – Anticipate record-breaking travel numbers this Memorial Day weekend, with millions of Americans hitting the road and skies. While traffic congestion seems inevitable for many, smart planning can help drivers avoid the absolute worst of it.
The American Automobile Association (AAA) has released its projections for Memorial Day travel, indicating that approximately 45 million Americans are expected to journey at least 50 miles from their homes between May 21 and May 25.
This year’s domestic travel forecast shows a slight increase from last year, setting a new record for Memorial Day weekend. A significant portion, 39.1 million people, are anticipated to travel by car, while another 3.66 million are expected to fly to their destinations.
Despite higher gas prices compared to last Memorial Day weekend, the AAA noted that average flight ticket prices are lower for those who booked their tickets in advance.
The projection of 39.1 million people traveling by car comes at a time when Americans are facing the highest gas prices recorded since the summer of 2022, according to AAA.
Leveraging data from the transportation analytics firm INRIX, AAA has identified the peak congestion times. The heaviest traffic is expected to occur between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 21, and Friday, May 22.
Furthermore, afternoon traffic on Monday, May 25, is likely to be particularly congested, with delays expected between 12 p.m. and 5 p.m.
This increased congestion also raises the potential for traffic accidents, AAA warned.
Many drivers will be navigating unfamiliar routes outside of their usual commuting patterns, which underscores the importance of adequate preparation.
This emphasizes the need for drivers to get sufficient rest before embarking on a road trip, plan their routes meticulously in advance, and commit to driving without distractions and while sober.
Both INRIX and AAA predict that traffic will be minimal after 9 p.m. on Thursday, before 11 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, and before 10 a.m. on Monday.
Sunday is anticipated to experience the lightest traffic overall, based on the analysis from AAA and INRIX.
INRIX utilized a comprehensive approach to forecast congestion and travel delays, employing GPS data, navigation app information, roadside sensors, and historical traffic trends.
The forecast also indicates that rental car pick-up lines are likely to be exceptionally busy.
For individuals planning to rent vehicles over the Memorial Day weekend, AAA’s car rental partner, Hertz, expects Thursday and Friday to be the busiest days for pick-ups.
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The top five markets projected to have the highest demand for rental cars are Orlando, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Denver, and Boston.
