PA Braces For Busiest Memorial Day Traffic In Years, Anticipates Millions Of Drivers

HARRISBURG, PA — Traffic is expected to return to near pre-pandemic levels in Pennsylvania this Memorial Day weekend, according to estimates from officials, as the region braces for a swarm of both visitors and local travelers.

Some 2.1 million motorists are expected to travel using the Pennsylvania Turnpike, authorities said, marking a 3.8 increase from 2022, while AAA estimates that about a half a million residents in the Philadelphia area alone will hit the road, which would be a 6 percent increase.

With more cars on the road than there's been in years, the state urged drivers to exercise caution.

"We appreciate the excitement of our travelers as they get away for the long weekend," PA Turnpike CEO Mark Compton said in a statement. "But we also ask them to prepare for their travel, focus on the roadway and take stops when needed to rest and refresh. With more congested roadways, and ever-increasing incidents of distracted driving, even a moment of distraction can have devastating consequences.”

AAA expects 2023 to be the fourth busiest Memorial Day in Philadelphia since they started tracking numbers in 2000, trailing only 2005, 2018, and 2019.

They said they expect to have to "come to the rescue" of 7,400 drivers over the weekend.

Friday is expected to be hte heaviest travel day, with 680,000 vehicles expected on the Turnpike. Their estimates indicate 510,000 on Saturday, 475,000 on Sunday, and 495,000 on Monday.

The Turnpike said that there will be increased patrols and safety teams across the state to protect motorists. Pennsylvania State Police said they will be enforcing safe driving.

"Obeying the posted speed limits, allowing sufficient distance between other vehicles and a general respect for other motorists will ensure everyone reaches their destination safely," added Corporal Joe May of PA State Police’s Troop T.

In addition to anticipated heavy traffic throughout the weekend, the Run the Wall veteran's organization is putting together a 300-vehicle motorcade to travel from the Flight 93 National memorial in Somerset County to the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C. The Group plans on stopping at the New Stanton Service Plaza in the late afternoon, and the Turnpike says that traffic could be slower in that area from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

In addition to increased travel on the roads, air travel is also expected to increase by 9 percent from last year, with 42,000 Philadelphia area residents flying, AAA said.