Want to avoid Memorial Day traffic? Here are the best — and worst — times to travel
Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer, and an estimated 37 million Americans are expected to hit the road this holiday weekend, according to AAA.
As the holiday draws near, motorists may wonder: When is the best time to leave?
Experts encourage drivers to pack their patience for what’s shaping up to be a travel season “for the record books.”
“With lower fuel prices and more travelers on the road compared to last year, drivers should expect long delays this holiday weekend,” Bob Pishue, transportation analyst at INRIX, said in a AAA news release.
“Knowing when and where congestion will build can help drivers avoid the stress of sitting in traffic,” Pishue said.
Best and worst travel times
Drivers are expected to see the worst traffic Friday, May 26, which AAA predicts will be the “busiest day on the roads” this holiday weekend, per a travel analysis published May 15. The best times to travel are Saturday, May 27, and Sunday, May 28, preferably in the early morning or after 6 p.m., experts said.
Travelers with plans to drive on the actual holiday are urged to head out before 10 a.m., according the report.
For the forecast, AAA analyzed S&P Global Market Intelligence data to predict domestic travel volumes and behaviors across the U.S. from Thursday, May 25, to Monday, May 29.
Expect congestion in major metros
The report showed travelers’ points of departure and return may also impact their time on the road.
Major metro areas including Tampa, Atlanta, Seattle and New York could see travel times double during the long holiday weekend, travel experts predict.
Vanessa Gordon, who publishes her own travel magazine in the Hamptons in New York, said she and her family are headed to New England and will be on the road before most travelers wake up.
“I am a huge proponent of leaving very early in the morning or even driving at night,” Gordon told McClatchy News. “My children are in their pajamas with their teeth brushed, essentially ready for bed by the time I start driving at nightfall.”
Gordon acknowledged the risks of late night driving, including drunken motorists, but said she plans to stay vigilant.
For those also planning a road trip, she suggested making as few stops as possible, packing a change of clothes and having your vehicle checked for any mechanical issues before leaving.
With limited stops for food and snacks, Gordon said her family plans to arrive early Friday and be back home by Sunday night.
Travelers undeterred by inflation
More Americans are planning to drive than fly this year, experts say.
A recent GasBuddy analysis showed the average price for a regular gallon of gas will be $3.53 this Memorial Day weekend. That’s $1.10 cheaper than this time last year, experts say.
Still, GasBuddy analysts say concerns about the economy and rising inflation have some rethinking their travel plans this summer, so much so that they haven’t finalized their accommodations and activities.
But AAA said more Americans are still planning trips this summer than in past years, despite inflation.
Craig Sawyer, a logistics manager, remains undeterred and said he looks forward to a “super fun vacation” with his girlfriend in Mammoth Lakes, California.
“No need to fly — we don’t want to deal with a crowd or bookings,” Sawyer told McClatchy News. “Gas is the largest cost but we will save money by stopping at (Bureau of Land Management) land, making a campfire and sleeping in our tents, or if too cold, our camper shell.”
This story was originally published May 22, 2023 at 3:38 PM with the headline "Want to avoid Memorial Day traffic? Here are the best — and worst — times to travel."