AAA names worst travel windows 3-6 p.m.

AAA and INRIX are telling Memorial Day drivers to plan around a narrow set of afternoon choke points rather than assume the whole weekend will be equally congested. Their forecast says the heaviest traffic is expected on Thursday and Friday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., with another crunch on Monday afternoon as travelers return home. AAA said 45 million Americans are expected to travel at least 50 miles over the holiday period, including 39.1 million by car, a record for Memorial Day travel. The group said the travel window it is measuring runs from Thursday, May 21, through Monday, May 25. ### Which hours are AAA and INRIX actually warning drivers about? INRIX said the most congested periods should fall in the afternoon, when commuters and holiday travelers overlap on the same roads. The clearest warning is for Thursday and Friday between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m., the stretch AAA and INRIX identified as the worst time to be driving if a trip can be shifted earlier or later. (midstates.aaa.com) Monday afternoon is the other period the forecast flags, because return traffic is expected to bunch up as people head home before the workweek. ### Why are those windows so specific? AAA tied the forecast to INRIX traffic modeling, which looks at expected holiday demand and typical congestion patterns by day and time. The broad advice is simple: mornings are generally better, and late evening departures can also reduce the odds of getting caught in the peak. Several summaries of the forecast say Thursday, May 21, Friday, May 22, and Monday, May 25 are the busiest points in the holiday driving pattern, though local conditions can shift by market. (midstates.aaa.com) ### Does this mean the entire weekend will be jammed? AAA’s own guidance does not say every hour of the weekend is equally bad. The organization said drivers should expect the heaviest congestion in selected afternoon periods and aim for morning travel when possible. One AAA-linked summary said Sunday is expected to have the lightest traffic impact, barring crashes, weather or other road incidents. (midstates.aaa.com) ### How many people are expected to be on the move? AAA said 45 million Americans are projected to travel domestically over the Memorial Day holiday, up slightly from last year and enough to set a new record for the weekend. Of that total, 39.1 million are expected to drive, making car travel by far the dominant mode. Another 3.66 million are projected to fly domestically, while 2.2 million are expected to travel by bus, train or cruise. (midstates.aaa.com) ### What should drivers do with this forecast? AAA’s recommendation is not to avoid the holiday weekend entirely but to shift departure times outside the peak windows where possible. The group also said conditions can vary by state, metro area and local events, so the national pattern is a planning guide rather than a street-by-street prediction. For travelers renting cars, AAA car rental partner Hertz said Thursday and Friday are expected to be the busiest pickup days. (midstates.aaa.com) ### What dates should travelers watch next? Thursday, May 21, Friday, May 22 and Monday, May 25 are the dates AAA and INRIX have highlighted most closely for road congestion. Travelers looking for the latest local traffic picture will need to check state transportation agencies, navigation apps and weather updates closer to departure time, because crashes and storms can change drive times even outside the national peak windows. (midstates.aaa.com)