Most U.S. travelers to drive Memorial Day - NYT

The New York Times reported on May 22 that most U.S. travelers heading out for Memorial Day weekend are expected to go by car, as the holiday opens what is typically the summer travel season. AAA said earlier this month that 45 million Americans would travel at least 50 miles from home between Thursday, May 21, and Monday, May 25. Of those travelers, the largest share are road trippers, continuing a pattern in which driving remains the dominant holiday option because it is cheaper and more flexible than flying for many families. (newsroom.aaa.com) (cbsnews.com) ### How many people are expected to travel this weekend? AAA said on May 11 that 45 million Americans were projected to travel at least 50 miles from home over the Memorial Day holiday period. That total is slightly above last year’s level, according to the group’s forecast, and covers trips taken from Thursday through Monday. The same AAA forecast said road travel would account for the overwhelming majority of those trips. The New York Times said on May 22 that most travelers were expected to drive, matching AAA’s broader projection that holiday travel would again be led by motorists rather than airline passengers. (newsroom.aaa.com) ### Why are cars still the main way people travel? AAA said driving remains the preferred option during holiday periods because it gives travelers more control over timing, route changes and total cost. That matters on a long weekend when many trips are relatively short and centered on beaches, family visits and regional getaways rather than longer-haul vacations. (newsroom.aaa.com) The New York Times framed the same pattern as the practical story of the weekend: people are traveling in large numbers, but many are doing so by road rather than by air. (newsroom.aaa.com) That makes traffic, fuel stops and weather along interstate corridors as important as airport delays for many households. ### What is the weather forecast travelers are dealing with? The New York Times said much of the country was expected to see a wet and cool Memorial Day weekend, while the West was more likely to stay drier with more seasonal conditions. (newsroom.aaa.com) That split matters because the heaviest travel days overlap with outdoor plans, beach trips and long highway drives. CBS New York reported on May 23 that the New York City tri-state area was facing a soggy start to summer, with rainy weather, cool temperatures and possible travel disruptions from ponding on roads. WJLA reported on May 22 that the Washington region was also starting the weekend with gray skies, showers and temperatures in the upper 50s to middle 60s. (newsroom.aaa.com) ### Where could the biggest delays show up? Friday departures and Monday returns usually produce the heaviest pressure on highways, rental counters and airport terminals, and AAA said the holiday period runs through Monday, May 25. Travelers driving through rain-affected parts of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic may face slower traffic because of reduced visibility and standing water. CBS New York said some parts of the tri-state area could receive several inches of rain before the holiday weekend ends. That kind of forecast does not stop travel on its own, but it can extend drive times and complicate beach and outdoor plans. (cbsnews.com) ### What should travelers watch before leaving? The New York Times advised travelers to monitor forecasts before departure and plan for delays. For drivers, that means checking local weather and road conditions again on the day of travel rather than relying on an earlier forecast. Memorial Day travel conditions will continue to shift through Monday, May 25, with updated local forecasts available across major metro areas and AAA’s holiday travel window running through the end of the long weekend. (newsroom.aaa.com) (cbsnews.com)