NYC drivers advised avoid peak departure times

Patch reported on Tuesday that New York City-area drivers should plan Memorial Day departures around expected traffic surges, citing AAA guidance for the holiday travel period. AAA projects 45 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home between Thursday, May 21, and Monday, May 25, a record for Memorial Day weekend. Of those, 39.1 million are expected to travel by car, according to AAA’s national forecast. In the Philadelphia region, AAA separately warned that local roads will be strained as more than 525,000 people are expected to travel during the same five-day period. (inrix.com) ### When are New York-area drivers being told to avoid the road? Patch’s New York City-area guidance on Tuesday said departure timing will matter because the heaviest traffic is expected during peak holiday windows around the city. The article cited AAA data showing that the worst periods for drivers generally cluster in the middle and late afternoon on the busiest travel days. AAA and INRIX said in their broader Memorial Day traffic guidance that Thursday and Friday afternoon are expected to be the most congested periods nationally, with Monday afternoon also likely to be crowded as travelers return home. (inrix.com) That national pattern is the basis for the local warnings carried by Patch and other regional outlets. ### How big is the Memorial Day travel surge this year? AAA said on May 11 that this year’s holiday forecast would set a new Memorial Day weekend record. The group expects 45 million Americans to travel at least 50 miles, up slightly from 44.8 million in 2025. (patch.com) Driving remains the dominant mode, with 39.1 million people — 87% of holiday travelers — expected to go by car. Stacey Barber, vice president of AAA Travel, said in the forecast that “travel demand remains strong” and that many people are still prioritizing leisure trips during holiday breaks despite higher fuel prices. (inrix.com) AAA also said domestic air travel is expected to reach 3.66 million passengers, while another 2.2 million people are forecast to travel by bus, train or cruise. ### What does the Philadelphia forecast show about Northeast roads? 6abc reported Tuesday that AAA expects more than 525,000 people to travel at least 50 miles between Thursday and Monday in the Philadelphia region. (inrix.com) That local forecast adds to the picture of heavier-than-usual traffic across the Northeast corridor during the holiday weekend. PhillyVoice, citing AAA, reported that one of the most congested regional trips is expected to be the drive to Rehoboth Beach via Interstate 95 on Thursday afternoon. The outlet said the worst traffic in the Philadelphia area is expected from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on the busiest days. (inrix.com) ### What are officials telling drivers to do before leaving? AAA said drivers should “put safety first, Slow Down, Move Over, and drive sober” during the holiday period. The group also urged motorists to check battery condition, tire pressure and fluids before leaving. (6abc.com) AAA said it responded to more than 350,000 roadside assistance calls over last year’s Memorial Day weekend for problems including dead batteries, flat tires and empty fuel tanks. Hertz, which AAA cited in its forecast, said Thursday and Friday are expected to be the busiest car-rental pickup days. (phillyvoice.com) ### What should drivers watch next? Thursday, May 21, marks the start of AAA’s Memorial Day travel window, and Monday, May 25, is the final day covered by the forecast. Patch’s New York City-area traffic guidance and AAA’s national Memorial Day outlook are the main public references for drivers checking when to leave before the holiday weekend begins. (inrix.com)