AAA issues Philadelphia Memorial Day forecast

AAA released a Philadelphia-area Memorial Day weekend travel forecast on May 19, projecting more than 525,000 people in the region will travel at least 50 miles between Thursday and Memorial Day. The local forecast points to a slight increase from last year and tracks with AAA’s national projection that 45 million Americans will travel over the holiday period, a record for Memorial Day weekend. Most travelers in the Philadelphia region are expected to drive, with air and other modes also posting gains. The Philadelphia-area outlook centers on the May 21-25 holiday window, with AAA and traffic-data provider Inrix flagging Thursday, Friday and Monday as the busiest periods on the roads. The organization also urged drivers to plan early, check fuel and vehicle conditions, and expect heavier movement on major corridors tied to shore and beach travel. ### How many people in the Philadelphia area are expected to travel? (6abc.com) AAA said more than 525,000 people across the Philadelphia region are expected to travel at least 50 miles over the Memorial Day period. PhillyVoice, citing the forecast, reported that represents a 0.2% increase from last year. About 470,000 of those travelers are expected to go by car, roughly 38,000 by plane and about 17,000 by train, bus or cruise, according to the local forecast as reported by Philadelphia outlets. (6abc.com) The increase in the “other modes” category was the largest percentage gain among the local segments. ### Where is the worst road congestion expected? Inrix data cited in the Philadelphia-area coverage pointed to the heaviest congestion on the trip to Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, on Thursday afternoon. (6abc.com) The route along Interstate 95 South and Route 13 North was forecast to take about four hours, or 66% longer than normal. Thursday and Friday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. are expected to be the worst windows for traffic, according to Inrix. (phillyvoice.com) Monday afternoon could also bring heavier return traffic, while Sunday was identified as the best day to travel if there are no major road incidents. ### What did AAA say about drivers and fuel costs? AAA said drivers should check their battery, tire pressure and fluids before leaving. (phillyvoice.com) The group also repeated its safety message to slow down, move over for roadside responders and avoid impaired driving. Last Memorial Day weekend, AAA said it responded to more than 350,000 roadside assistance calls nationwide for problems including dead batteries, flat tires and empty fuel tanks. AAA’s national forecast said gas prices are higher than they were over Memorial Day last year, with pump prices at the highest levels since the summer of 2022. Even so, Stacey Barber, vice president of AAA Travel, said in a statement that “travel demand remains strong” and that many people are still prioritizing leisure trips over holiday breaks. ### What does the forecast say about flights through Philadelphia? (midstates.aaa.com) Philadelphia International Airport is also expected to be busy over the holiday stretch. PhillyVoice reported that American Airlines, the airport’s largest carrier, expects 2,100 flights between Thursday and Tuesday. AAA’s national forecast said 3.66 million people are expected to fly domestically over Memorial Day weekend, up slightly from last year. (midstates.aaa.com) Round-trip domestic airfare is 6% cheaper than a year ago on average, AAA said, based on booking data, with an average ticket price of $800. ### What happens next for holiday travelers? Thursday, May 21, begins AAA’s Memorial Day travel window, and the heaviest Philadelphia-area traffic is expected to build that afternoon and again on Friday and Monday. (phillyvoice.com) Travelers using Philadelphia International Airport, Interstate 95 or Route 13 are likely to see the busiest conditions through Memorial Day, May 25, according to AAA, Inrix and local reports. (newsroom.aaa.com) (midstates.aaa.com)