Worst Day To Get Out Of Town: PA Memorial Day Travel Guide

More than half a million residents in the greater Philadelphia area will travel more than 50 miles this year to observe Memorial Day, the majority of them — 454,051 — in cars. If you want to avoid traffic jams in southeastern Pennsylvania, stay off the roads late in the afternoon on Thursday and Friday, when afternoon commuters mix with holiday travelers.

In the five-county Philadelphia area, about 11 percent of the population will be on the road, according to estimates. That would represent a 3.6 percent increase from last year, AAA's statistics show.

“Philadelphia-area residents are ready to kick off the Memorial Day weekend with a trip,” Jana L. Tidwell, Manager of Public and Government Affairs for AAA Mid-Atlantic, said in a statement. “After a long winter and soggy spring, locals are ready to pack up the car, or catch a flight, a bus or a train in order to enjoy the warmer weather."

>>Memorial Day Road Trips: What To Play On Your Way Out Of The Philly Area

The federal holiday set aside to remember members of the military who died while serving their country is often considered the unofficial start of summer.

The weather outlook is mixed, with the potential for thunderstorms Thursday and Monday, but sunny skies in between. This could potentially impact local parades and celebrations. Be sure to follow along for any cancellations and other announcements.

Here's the forecast, per the National Weather Service:

Thursday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8am, then a slight chance of showers between 8am and 2pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 80. Southwest wind 8 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Thursday night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2am. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 65. Southwest wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 80. Northwest wind 13 to 15 mph.

Friday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 58.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 80.

Saturday night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8pm and 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 87.

Sunday night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8pm and 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Memorial Day: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 83. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Monday night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Delays could begin as early as Wednesday, experts said. Those delays would only be exacerbated by any potential severe weather.

“Drivers in the most congested metros should expect much worse conditions than normal,” Trevor Reed, transportation analyst, INRIX, said in a news release. “Travelers should anticipate delays to start on Wednesday and continue through Memorial Day. Our advice to drivers is to avoid the morning and evening commuting times or plan alternate routes.”

AAA says 2019 will see the second-highest Memorial Day weekend traffic by volume since it started keeping track in 2000 and the most travelers since 2005. Overall, there will be 1.5 million more people traveling by car, train or plane than there were in 2018, for an increase of 3.6 percent.

Those traveling by automobile are doing so despite a rising national gas price average close to $3 a gallon. The national average for a gallon of gasoline was $2.86 on May 14, which compares to last year’s national average of $2.87 a gallon on the same date a year ago. The average in the greater Philadelphia area is also at $3 a gallon.

“When gas prices are expensive, travelers may shorten the distance of a road trip, eat out less or look for free activities,” AAA gas price expert Jeanette Casselano said in the release. “But, overall, prices are very similar to this time last year and, like then, they aren’t letting that deter them from taking summer road trips.”

The auto club said 33,000 Philly area travelers plan to fly, marking a 4.8 percent increase from 2018. Nationwide, it will be the busiest holiday in the skies since 2005.

About 1.9 million people nationally, an increase of 3.8 percent over last year, will travel by train, bus or cruise ship, according to the release.

And though gas prices are increasing, car rental and hotel rates are down a bit this Memorial Day. AAA’s Leisure Travel Index shows car rental prices are down 7 percent, compared to last year, with an average daily rate of $55. Mid-range hotels are between 2 percent and 3 percent cheaper this year, with an average nightly rate of $146 and $183, respectively for the AAA Two and Three Diamond-rated properties.

Airfares are holding steady compared to last Memorial Day with an average roundtrip price of $171, AAA said.