Memorial Day Travel: How Californians Can Beat Traffic, Avoid Crowds And Save Money

It’s a holiday weekend and the start of the summer. Many Californians want to hit the road to enjoy all the wonders of the Golden State. But at a time of soaring gas prices and inflation, this can create undue headaches and stress. If you plan to head out, here are a few tips to enjoy the best of the state while preserving time, money, and sanity.

Traffic

California is notorious for traffic at the best of times. During holiday weekends, it can become borderline apocalyptic. If you don’t want to spend most of the holiday weekend inside your car stalled on the freeway, here are some of the best times to travel, according to AAA and INRIX:

Friday:

• Worst: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Best: Before 11 a.m. or after 8 p.m.

Saturday:

• Worst: 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
• Best: Before 11 a.m. or after 5 p.m.

Sunday:

• Minimal traffic expected. This is the best day to travel, according to AAA

Monday:

• Worst: 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
• Best: Before 10 a.m. or after 5 p.m.

Here are some California roads most likely to be congested. If you don’t like sitting in traffic, either leave really early or try to find an alternate route. Even if the alternate route takes longer, the lack of congestion may be worth it:

• I-5
• Highway 101
• Highway 1/PCH
• I-80
• Highway 17
• I-15

Avoiding crowds

That traffic you were stuck in? Many of those cars are likely heading to the same spot as you. Since nobody likes to spend all their time searching for parking, waiting in long lines, or overhearing loud conversations. Here are some tips to avoid crowds once you reach your final destination:

1. Know the hot spots. Major beaches, state and national parks, wine country, Tahoe, Big Sur, Santa Barbara, theme parks, lakes, and outlet malls are going to be packed. Plan accordingly.
2. Early means EARLY. It’s not just about leaving early, it’s about arriving early. To avoid the worst crowds, arrive before sunrise for national parks, before 8 a.m. for hiking, and before 9 a.m. for beaches.
3. Plan around Saturday and Sunday. Consider taking off Friday, or enjoy the activities Monday morning when everyone else is heading home.
4. Make reservations. There’s nothing worse than traveling a long way to be greeted by a full parking lot or restaurant. Wherever you want to go, check if they require reservations. Even if they don’t, making one is a good idea.

Underrated alternatives

The most foolproof way to avoid traffic and crowds is to sip the hotspots entirely. And in California, there are a seemingly endless array of enjoyable, budget-friendly alternatives. There will still be crowds everywhere, but not nearly as overwhelming.

• Skip: Lake Tahoe
• Try: Nevada City or Grass Valley, where you can still enjoy beautiful mountain scenery and relaxing hikes.

• Skip: Big Sur
• Try: Cambria or Morro Bay, where you can enjoy the same dramatic coastline, but with fewer crowds and a slower pace

• Skip: Santa Barbara
• Try: Ventura for a beautiful, walkable downtown, fewer crowds, better prices, and just as many beautiful beaches

• Skip: Napa
• Try: Paso Robles or Los Alamos for cheaper wine tastings and fewer tourists.

• Skip: Malibu
• Try: San Pedro for beautiful beaches and parks and delicious Italian food.

• Skip: Yosemite
• Try: Lassen Volcanic National Park for all four types of volcanoes, and a whole array of geothermal features and geological formations.

• Skip: Palm Springs
• Try: Idyllwild for cooler weather, cabins, hiking, and forests

• Skip: Disneyland
• Try: Knott’s Berry Farm or Legoland for slightly more manageable crowds.

How to save money

With gas prices at record highs with no relief in sight, many Californians might not want to travel at all, especially as hotel prices, food, and airfare are getting just as bad. Here are some tips to travel without breaking the bank:

1. Fill up before tourist areas. Gas near big spots can be much more expensive.
2. Don’t speed. Maintaining a steady speed improves fuel efficiency.
3. Check tire pressure. Low tire pressure hurts mileage per gallon.
4. Use gas apps and warehouse stations: Compare prices on the GasBuddy app, and travel to Costco and Sam’s Club for more affordable gas.
5. Avoid traffic. Stop and go traffic burns fuel faster.
6. Day trips can save hundreds. Leave early and depart late to avoid expensive hotels.
7. Pack food and drinks. This can add up fast.
8. Avoid peak check-in/check-out days: Prices tend to be highest Friday and Saturday.