When To Leave NYC For Memorial Day

AAA said on May 11 that 45 million Americans are expected to travel at least 50 miles from home over Memorial Day weekend, a new record for the holiday period. Of those travelers, 39.1 million are expected to go by car, making road congestion the central issue for people leaving New York City. Local coverage in the New York market has focused on a simple question: not whether traffic will be bad, but when it will be least bad. The answer, based on AAA-backed timing guidance circulated this week, is to avoid the afternoon rush and especially Friday afternoon. ### When is the worst time to leave New York City by car? Friday, May 22, at 2:15 p.m. is the single worst departure point for drivers leaving the New York City area, according to timing guidance reported by Fox 5 New York from AAA data. Travelers headed toward the Jersey Shore on the Garden State Parkway could face a 102% increase in traffic at that point, the station reported. Thursday afternoon is also expected to be heavily congested. AAA-backed guidance says the worst window on Thursday, May 21, runs from noon to 9 p.m., when holiday departures overlap with the normal evening commute. Friday’s broader danger zone is longer. The heaviest traffic on May 22 is expected from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., a stretch that captures both early holiday departures and the usual rush-hour crush. ### What are the best hours to leave instead? Thursday, May 21, after 9 p.m. is one of the clearest windows for drivers who can leave late. Friday, May 22, before 11 a.m. is the recommended option for travelers who want to get out before the worst buildup starts. Saturday, May 23, before 11 a.m. is also listed as a better time to drive. Once midday arrives, traffic is expected to worsen, with the worst Saturday window running from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, May 24, stands out as the lightest day. The guidance describes Sunday traffic as minimal, making it the easiest day of the holiday stretch for travelers with flexible plans. Monday, May 25, before 10 a.m. is the best option for return trips or same-day departures. Traffic is expected to pick up again from noon to 5 p.m. as holiday travelers head home. ### Why is this Memorial Day weekend drawing so much attention? AAA said 45 million Americans will travel between Thursday, May 21, and Monday, May 25. That is slightly higher than 2025 and sets a Memorial Day weekend record, according to the auto club’s May 11 forecast. The road total matters most for New York drivers. AAA said 39.1 million people are expected to travel by car, compared with 3.66 million by air, reinforcing why highways around the city, the Jersey Shore and other regional getaways are expected to clog first. Stacey Barber, vice president of AAA Travel, said in the organization’s release that Memorial Day marks “the unofficial start of summer” and remains a major three-day travel weekend for U.S. households. ### Does this advice apply only to beach traffic? The New York-area warning is most vivid on routes toward the Jersey Shore, but the timing guidance is broader than one destination. The main pattern is that afternoon departures are expected to be worst because they collide with commuter traffic and holiday volume at the same time. New York City travelers heading to Long Island, upstate New York, Connecticut or New Jersey face the same basic planning problem. Leaving early in the day, late at night, or on Sunday offers the best chance of avoiding the longest delays. ### What should drivers do before they head out? AAA’s forecast is a planning tool, not a guarantee of clear roads. Weather, crashes, construction and local bottlenecks can change conditions quickly, especially around New York City bridges, tunnels and parkways. Navigation apps and regional traffic alerts are the practical next step for anyone leaving during the holiday window. For this year’s Memorial Day period, the key dates are Thursday, May 21, through Monday, May 25, with Friday afternoon the most difficult moment for drivers leaving the city.