Traveling Memorial Day weekend? AAA predicts this many other travelers, too
More than 125,000 Delawareans are expected to travel 50 miles or more this holiday weekend, according to AAA. AAA considers the travel weekend to run May 22-26.
While more travelers are expected on the roads, in the air and on boats this year compared with Memorial Day 2024, AAA predicts only about 1,000 more travelers from Delaware. Excluding the COVID-19 pandemic, that's the lowest year-over-year growth rate since 2016, AAA said.
National numbers reflect this, too.
AAA projects that 45.1 million people will travel nationally, an increase of 1.4 million travelers compared to last year. But that projection is also the lowest year-over-year growth rate in nearly a decade.
AAA attributes this to rising costs of both goods and services across the country.
Related: What to know about public transportation at the Delaware beaches this summer
Most Delawareans who are traveling this weekend will be driving, AAA said.
AAA expects nearly 90%, or about 112,000, First State drivers.
Air travel is the next most common mode of transport, with about 11,000 Delawareans expected to fly. And nearly 3,100 people are expected to travel by train, bus or cruise.
Drivers are expected to make up the lion's share of travelers nationally, too.
AAA projects 39.4 million people will travel by car, or about 87% of travelers.
While gas prices typically peak in the summer, AAA said prices this year are lower than last.
Another 3.61 million people are expected to fly, while 2.08 million will travel by train, bus or cruise.
Related: While uncertainty looms in the air this summer, almost half of Americans plan to travel
INRIX, a provider of transportation data, expects afternoons to be the most congested for drivers. It recommends hitting the road during the morning hours, specifically:
Before noon on May 22
Before 11 a.m. on May 23
Before noon on May 24
Before 1 p.m. on May 25
Before 2 p.m. on May 26
Got a tip? Send to Isabel Hughes at ihughes@delawareonline.com. For all things breaking news, follow her on X at @izzihughes_
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Traveling Memorial Day weekend? AAA predicts this many others, too
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