Best and Worst Times To Leave NYC

AAA said on May 11 that 45 million Americans are expected to travel at least 50 miles from home over the Memorial Day holiday period from Thursday, May 21, through Monday, May 25. The group said that would set a new record for the holiday, with 39.1 million people traveling by car and 3.66 million flying. For travelers leaving the New York City area, the timing guidance is straightforward: avoid Thursday and Friday afternoon, when holiday departures overlap with the regular commute. AAA’s forecast and travel-time guidance were based on holiday projections and traffic analysis cited by local outlets and national coverage. ### When should New Yorkers avoid getting on the road? Thursday, May 21, is expected to be one of the heaviest travel days, with the worst driving window running from noon to 9 p.m., according to AAA’s schedule. Friday, May 22, is also expected to be heavily congested, with the worst travel period running from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. (newsroom.aaa.com) Friday afternoon is the key pinch point for the New York City region. FOX 5 New York, citing AAA guidance, said the worst time to leave the area is 2:15 p.m. Friday. The station said drivers headed toward the Jersey Shore on the Garden State Parkway could face travel times more than double normal levels, with a 102% increase in traffic. (nbcnewyork.com) ### What are the better windows if you still want to drive? AAA’s best-time guidance points travelers to off-peak hours. On Thursday, the better option is after 9 p.m. On Friday and Saturday, the best time to leave is before 11 a.m. On Memorial Day itself, Monday, May 25, AAA said drivers should aim to leave before 10 a.m. (fox5ny.com) Sunday, May 24, stands out as the least problematic day in AAA’s schedule. The guidance says minimal traffic impact is expected that day, making it the most flexible option for travelers who can shift plans within the holiday weekend. ### How big is the Memorial Day travel surge this year? (nbcnewyork.com) AAA said 45 million travelers would mark a record Memorial Day total, slightly above last year’s 44.8 million. The organization said 87% of holiday travelers — 39.1 million people — are expected to go by car, making road trips by far the dominant mode. (nbcnewyork.com) Stacey Barber, vice president of AAA Travel, said in the group’s May 11 release that “travel demand remains strong” and that people are still prioritizing leisure trips during holiday breaks despite higher fuel prices. AAA also said drivers are paying more for gasoline than they were over Memorial Day weekend last year, even as some air travelers benefited from lower average ticket prices if they booked early. (newsroom.aaa.com) ### Does this apply only to highways, or to the broader holiday rush? AAA’s published guidance is specifically about driving times, but the broader holiday crush extends beyond roads. The group said 3.66 million travelers are expected to fly during the period, and another 2.2 million are expected to travel by bus, train or cruise. That means crowded terminals and rental-car counters are also part of the holiday picture, even if the timing chart itself is aimed at motorists. (newsroom.aaa.com) Hertz, cited in AAA’s release, said Thursday and Friday are expected to be the busiest pickup days for rental cars over the holiday weekend. AAA said that last Memorial Day weekend it responded to more than 350,000 roadside assistance calls for issues including dead batteries, flat tires and empty fuel tanks. (newsroom.aaa.com) ### What should travelers check before they leave New York? AAA said drivers should check battery condition, tire pressure and fluid levels before leaving. The group also told motorists to slow down, move over for roadside workers and emergency vehicles, and avoid impaired driving during the holiday period. (newsroom.aaa.com) Monday, May 25, closes the five-day Memorial Day travel window, and AAA’s guidance says the better departure time that day is before 10 a.m. Travelers looking for the full holiday forecast can find the timing breakdown in AAA’s Memorial Day travel release published May 11. (newsroom.aaa.com)