For the 36.6 million Americans traveling by automobile Memorial Day Weekend, INRIX, in collaboration with AAA, predicts drivers will experience the greatest amount
of congestion on Thursday, May 24 and Friday, May 25 – in the late afternoon
as commuters leave work early and mix with holiday travelers. Several major
U.S. metros could experience double the travel times compared to a normal
trip.
“Ranked the most congested country in world, U.S. drivers are all too
familiar with sitting in traffic,” said Graham Cookson, Chief Economist and
Head of Research, INRIX. “Drivers should expect congestion across a greater
number of days than in previous years, with the getaway period starting on
Wednesday, May 23. Our advice to drivers is to avoid peak commute times in
major cities altogether – traveling late morning or early afternoon – or
plan alternative routes.”
Higher gas prices not deterring travelers
The 88 percent of travelers choosing to drive will pay the most expensive
Memorial Day gas prices since 2014. Gas prices averaged $2.72 in April, an
increase of 33 cents from last year, due to expensive crude oil, record
gasoline demand and shrinking global supply. However, these higher prices
are not keeping holiday travelers home, with automobile travel expected to
increase for the fourth straight year, by nearly 5 percent over last
Memorial Day.
Last year, gas prices on Memorial Day averaged $2.37 nationwide ($2.31 in
Florida). Although holiday prices at the pump are projected to be the
highest in four years, AAA does not expect gasoline to come anywhere near
2014-levels, where the national average was $3.66 ($3.62 in Florida)
AAA to rescue more than 340,000 motorists
AAA expects to rescue more than 340,000 motorists at the roadside this
Memorial Day weekend. Dead batteries, lockouts and flat tires will be the
leading reasons AAA members will experience car trouble.
Before hitting the road, make sure your vehicle is road-trip ready. Make a
good B-E-T to stay on the road this summer by having your Battery tested,
looking for Engine coolant leaks and checking your Tire condition. Be
prepared for emergencies with a mobile phone and car charger, a flashlight
with extra batteries, a first-aid kit, a basic toolkit, and drinking water
and snacks for all passengers.