Traffic, High Gas Prices This Memorial Day In Puget Sound: AAA

SEATTLE, WA - If you're planning to get out of Puget Sound this Memorial Day weekend, choose the time you leave wisely, and research gas prices.

AAA is predicting a record year for travel in U.S. for Memorial Day 2018. About 36 million people will be driving somewhere this weekend, a nearly 5 percent increase over 2017. On top of that, AAA reports that Seattle is the No. 2 travel destination this holiday weekend, behind only Orlando.

The majority of travelers in the Puget Sound region will be heading out between Thursday and Friday evening, according to AAA. Using data from INRIX, the Kirkland-based traffic analytics company, AAA has determined that Friday between 4 and 6 p.m. will be the peak of traffic awfulness all weekend (unless you're driving westbound Monday evening on US 2).

On top of traffic, gas prices around Puget Sound this year will be the highest in four years. According to GasBuddy.com, regular unleaded is $3.50 per gallon on average in King and Pierce counties. That's up 56 cents over Memorial Day 2017. Nationwide, gas costs $2.97 per gallon on average.

As of Thursday afternoon, the cheapest gas between Everett and Tacoma was $3.19 per gallon at the Issaquah Costco.

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