The worst times to travel from Philly for Memorial Day weekend

🧮 By the numbers: More than 525,000 people in the Philly region will travel at least 50 miles through Monday — up slightly over last year, per AAA.

• Nearly 90% of travelers are expected to hit the road.

🚢 Plus: More people are forecast to take trains, buses, cruises and other forms of travel this year — up nearly 4%.

The big picture: An estimated 45 million Americans will travel over the coming holiday weekend — up 200,000 compared to last year, per AAA.

• But "economic uncertainties and concerns over rising prices have led to the smallest year-over-year travel growth rate we've seen in more than a decade," outside of 2020, Jana Tidwell, manager of public and government affairs for AAA Club Alliance, said in a statement.

🏖️ Travel hotspot: Delaware's Rehoboth Beach is apparently the it place this year.

• Congestion via I-95 S and Route 13 S to Rehoboth is forecast to be the worst in the region over the long weekend, according to transportation analytics company INRIX.
• And the worst time to drive there is starting Thursday at 4:15pm, with travel times pegged to take 66% longer than usual.

⚠️ Pro tip: Peak congestion is likely to hit in the afternoons on Thursday and Friday, as commuters leave work and mix with vacation travelers, per INRIX.

⛽ At the pump: Gas prices were averaging around $4.63 for a gallon of regular in Philly proper yesterday — up nearly $1.50 compared to this time last year, per AAA.

• Statewide, the average was $4.64.

☝️ Overall, these are the best and worst times to take to the roads this weekend:

✈️ In the skies: Philadelphia International Airport is likely to be slammed, too.

• PHL predicts roughly 10% more passengers to pass through its terminals through Monday compared to 2025.

🚨 Busiest airport day: Thursday and Friday.

The bottom line: The unofficial start of summer is here!