AAA and INRIX: Worst Memorial Day driving windows are Thu–Fri 3–6pm

AAA and INRIX said motorists should expect the heaviest Memorial Day road congestion on Thursday and Friday between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m., with another difficult stretch on Monday afternoon as travelers head home. AAA said in a May 11 forecast that 45 million Americans are expected to travel at least 50 miles from home between Thursday, May 21, and Monday, May 25. The group said 39.1 million of them will go by car, setting a new Memorial Day weekend record. Stacey Barber, vice president of AAA Travel, said demand remains strong despite higher fuel prices than a year ago. ### Which hours are AAA and INRIX telling drivers to avoid? AAA and INRIX said the broadest national trouble spots are Thursday and Friday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. The organizations also flagged Monday, May 25, from noon to 5 p.m. as a heavy return-travel window and said drivers heading home that day should leave before 10 a.m. if possible. (inrix.com) Thursday, May 21, carries a wider congestion band than the headline window suggests. AAA’s daily guidance says the worst time to drive that day runs from noon to 9 p.m., while Friday, May 22, is expected to be busiest from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday’s worst period is noon to 5 p.m., and Sunday is expected to see relatively light traffic by comparison. (magazine.northeast.aaa.com) ### How many people are expected to travel this weekend? AAA said 45 million Americans will travel domestically over the holiday period, up from 44.8 million in 2025. The forecast covers trips of at least 50 miles from home and would set a new Memorial Day weekend record, according to AAA. (creators.yahoo.com) Of that total, 39.1 million travelers are expected to drive and 3.66 million are expected to fly, AAA said. The group said road trips remain the dominant choice for the holiday, accounting for about 87% of all travelers. ### Why are Thursday and Friday expected to be the toughest? (inrix.com) INRIX based its projections on transportation data and traffic patterns tied to holiday departures, AAA said. The Thursday and Friday afternoon windows line up with commuters still on the road in many metro areas as holiday travelers begin leaving for long weekends. (inrix.com) USA Today, citing the AAA-INRIX forecast, reported that departure timing could make a significant difference because this year’s travel volume is expected to be record-setting. Axios also reported that Thursday and Friday afternoons are the periods travelers should avoid if they can. (magazine.northeast.aaa.com) ### What did AAA say about California? California travelers are facing the same timing warning as the national forecast. Regional coverage citing AAA said the state is also expected to set a Memorial Day travel record this year, with domestic travel running slightly above last year’s level. (usatoday.com) AAA’s national forecast did not break out California’s total in the materials reviewed here, but it said overall Memorial Day demand is rising year over year. That broader increase is what regional AAA offices and local outlets have tied to record projections in California. ### What is the practical schedule if you are trying to miss the worst traffic? (travel.yahoo.com) Monday, May 25, offers the clearest piece of advice in the AAA-INRIX guidance: leave before 10 a.m. if you are driving home. For outbound trips, AAA’s daily table says drivers are better off leaving before noon on Thursday, before 11 a.m. on Friday, and before 11 a.m. on Saturday. (inrix.com) May 25 is the last day in AAA’s Memorial Day travel period, and the forecast runs from Thursday, May 21, through that Monday. AAA and INRIX have published the holiday traffic guidance alongside AAA’s full Memorial Day travel outlook, which includes the 45 million-traveler estimate and the record 39.1 million expected to drive. (inrix.com) (creators.yahoo.com)