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How to beat Memorial Day weekend traffic as AAA warns more will hit the roads this weekend than for the last 20 years
Anyone planning to celebrate Memorial Day weekend out of town should prepare to deal with millions of other holiday travelers this week.
According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), nearly 44 million drivers will take to the roads between May 23 and May 27.
'We haven’t seen Memorial Day weekend travel numbers like these in almost 20 years,' said Paula Twidale, Senior Vice President of AAA Travel.
While it's long held common knowledge that hitting the road early or late is the best way to beat traffic, a software company has released specific advice on the best times to get behind the wheel.
The AAA announced in a press release on May 13 that nearly 44 million individuals will travel at least 50 miles anytime from May 23 through May 27
AAA confirmed in their statement that they haven't seen these kinds of Memorial Day Weekend travel numbers in almost 20 years
INRIX concluded in this year's data that the best times to hit the road on May 23 and 24 are before 11am and after 7pm.
As for the worst driving times, Memorial Day Weekend travelers will likely have a tough time driving between 12pm and 6pm and 12pm to 7pm this Thursday and Friday.
They should also avoid driving between 2 to 5pm on Saturday.
'Travel times are expected to be up to 90% longer than normal,' said Bob Pishue, transportation analyst at INRIX.
'Travelers should stay up to date on traffic apps, 511 services and local news stations to avoid sitting in traffic longer than necessary.'
Americans have been celebrating Memorial Day since 1868, and it takes place every year on the last Monday of May.
Celebrations like parades and concerts have been planned nationwide to commemorate the holiday, and several states will experience great weather this week.
According to Alec Slatky, the Managing Director of Public and Government Affairs for AAA Northeast, the company is 'projecting an additional one million travelers this holiday weekend compared to 2019.'
He added that this number means the company is 'exceeding pre-pandemic levels' and 'a very busy summer travel season' is approaching.
According to AAA's Memorial Day travel forecast, nearly 40 million travelers will go by car, while more than 3.5 million will fly by plane.
This year's traveler number is a 4 percent increase from 2023, and it comes close to matching 2005's record of 44 million.
AAA's forecast shows that more than 816,000 Wisconsin residents will travel for Memorial Day Weekend, an increase of more than 30,000 from last year
INRIX suggested that travelers stay up to date on traffic apps, 511 services, and local news stations to avoid traffic
AAA announced in a May 12 news release that a record-setting 2.5 million Floridians will be traveling this holiday weekend.
It is 126,500 more travelers than its previous Florida record, which was set last year.
AAA's data also shows that Orlando is this year's top Memorial Day Weekend U.S. destination, and Fort Lauderdale and Miami are among the top 10.
The company also announced in a May 14 news release that Wisconsin will also experience a small increase in Memorial Day Weekend travelers this year.
AAA's forecast shows that more than 816,000 Wisconsin residents will travel for Memorial Day Weekend, an increase of over 30,000 from last year.
Besides driving, travelers are expected to use methods like buses, cruises and trains to get to their Memorial Day Weekend destination.
'This category took the biggest hit during the pandemic with fewer people taking public transportation or not cruising at all,' Twidale said.
'Now, five years later, we’re back to 2019 numbers,' she added.