Memorial Day road trips: When Metro Detroit traffic will peak
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Gas prices be damned — roads around Metro Detroit are expected to jam up this week as holiday travelers head Up North and beyond for Memorial Day weekend.
Why it matters: Drivers are likely to see major slowdowns on I-75 northbound and along I-94, while construction zones on corridors like I-696, I-96 and M-14 could add to delays and safety concerns.
⚠️ Threat level: MDOT is urging drivers to slow down in active construction zones, where officials say crews continue to deal with speeding and reckless driving around and through barrels.
🚗 Expect heavy traffic on:
- I-75 northbound toward Up North destinations
- I-94 westbound toward DTW, Lake Michigan and Chicago
- US-23 toward Brighton/Flint/northern Michigan
- Areas near border crossings in Detroit, Port Huron and Sault Ste. Marie
Best driving times: Thursday after 9 pm, according to transportation analytics company INRIX, and before 11 am Friday and Saturday.
Worst driving times: Thursday from noon-9pm.
- Friday, 11am-8pm; Saturday, noon-5pm.
Yes, but: Travelers returning home Monday afternoon could face the worst congestion of the weekend, with travel times projected to jump 44%.
📈 Zoom out: AAA anticipates that more than 45 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more over Memorial Day weekend. That's 200,000 more than last year.
- The bulk of them — more than 39 million travelers — will be driving.
⛽ Michigan drivers were paying an average of $4.83 per gallon Monday, according to AAA.
- The average in Metro Detroit was $4.78.
Pro tip: Drivers who can leave before 10 am Thursday might avoid the worst congestion altogether.
The bottom line: Avoid driving Thursday afternoon or Friday evening if you can. You could save hours of frustration.