It’s Memorial Day weekend and whether you’re hitting the road or heading to the airport, it’s going to be crowded. AAA predicts a record number of people will be getting out of town, with 43.8-million people expected to travel at least 50 miles from home from now to Monday.
INRIX transportation analyst Bob Pishue warns that travel times over the holiday weekend could be up to 90% longer than usual. To avoid waiting longer than you have to, INRIX advises travelers have their traffic apps up to date and take note of these best and worst times to be on the road.
Today (Friday, May 24th)
- Worst time 12 p.m. – 7 p.m.
- Best time: Before 11 a.m., after 8 p.m.
Saturday (May 25th)
- Worst time: 2 p.m. – 5 p.m.
- Best time: Before 1 p.m., after 6 p.m.
Sunday (May 26th)
- Worst time: 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.
- Best time: Before 1 p.m.
Monday (May 27th)
- Worst time: 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.
- Best time: After 7 p.m.
To help make the most of the holiday weekend, travel experts recommend going into it with the expectation that it’s going to be busy, no matter what you do. These are their tips to make Memorial Day weekend travel as stress-free as possible:
- Plan ahead - Give yourself plenty of time to get what you need and to get where you’re going. It’s also a good idea to have a backup plan in case there are delays or cancellations.
- Be creative - If you’re thinking of a last-minute trip, consider going by train or choosing a less popular destination.
- Find ways to keep yourself entertained - Traffic jams can take the fun out of a road trip, but having games, dice or a deck of cards can help pass the time. And don’t forget to pack your device chargers!
Source: Time