Memorial Day Weekend Travel Expected To Set Record

WILLOW GROVE, PA — Get ready for the gridlock once again this holiday weekend.

Despite higher gas prices than a year ago, AAA predicts that a record-breaking 45 million people are expected to hit the nation's roads and highways this Memorial Day weekend.

In the Philadelphia region, roads and highways will be just as clogged during the three-day Memorial Day weekend, which kicks off the unofficial start of summer.

AAA —the nation's leading travel membership organization with a regional office in Willow Grove — forecasts over 470,000 people will travel at least 50 miles on roads between Thursday and Monday, a slight uptick from last year.

AAA cautions drivers that trips could take double the amount of time due to the heavy congestion.

“Travel demand remains strong, and despite higher fuel prices, many people are prioritizing leisure travel during holiday breaks," said Stacey Barber, Vice President of AAA Travel.

This holiday weekend, drivers are paying more at the pump compared with last year, when the national average for a gallon of regular gasoline was $3.17 on Memorial Day.

Currently, gas prices are the highest they’ve been since the summer of 2022, over $4.40 in the Philadelphia region.

Best and Worst Times to Drive

According to transportation data from INRIX, to avoid peak holiday delays, plan your travel around these recommended windows:

• Thursday, May 21: Worst travel time is between 12:00 PM and 9:00 PM. Best to travel before 12:00 PM or after 9:00 PM.
• Friday, May 22: Worst travel time is between 11:00 AM and 8:00 PM. Best to travel before 11:00 AM.
• Saturday, May 23: Worst travel time is between 12:00 PM and 5:00 PM. Best to travel before 11:00 AM.
• Sunday, May 24: Expected to be the lightest travel day of the holiday weekend.
• Monday, May 25: Worst travel time is between 12:00 PM and 5:00 PM. Best to travel before 10:00 a.m.