The best and worst times to travel over Memorial Day weekend
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Prepare for traffic on I-5 N and I-15 N and at the airport over Memorial Day weekend. Photo: Kevin Carter/Getty Images)
Memorial Day travel is expected to break records this year nationwide and in Southern California.
Why it matters: Roads and airports will likely be packed as locals leave town and visitors arrive to celebrate the unofficial start of summer.
Driving the news: A record 3.6 million people in Southern California are expected to travel from Thursday through Monday, with most taking road trips, according to AAA.
- That's a 3.6% increase from last year and would be the third straight year of record travel locally.
- Projections for all modes of transportation — cars, planes, trains, cruises, etc. — are up from 2024 and 2019.
The big picture: More than 45 million people nationwide are projected to travel at least 50 miles from home over the holiday weekend, breaking a 20-year record.
- While the vast majority are driving, air travel is also expected to be higher.
What they're saying: "This year, they will get some price relief at the gas pump, car rental counter, and when flying internationally, but they will spend more on domestic flights, hotels, cruises and tours compared to 2024," Jena Miller, the Auto Club's vice president of travel products, said in a statement.
Zoom in: Getting on the road early is the best move, per Inrix, which crunches transportation data.
- In Southern California, the busiest stretch of freeway will likely be I-5 N from Los Angeles to Bakersfield on Friday afternoon and evening.
- While I-15 will be the most congested on Friday evening from San Diego to Palm Springs.
The intrigue: Orlando, Seattle, New York, Las Vegas, and Miami are the top U.S. destinations, while those taking international trips are going to Rome, Vancouver, Paris, London and Athens, according to AAA.
- Southern Californians are headed to Las Vegas, San Diego, the Central Coast and nearby national parks like the Grand Canyon.
If you're flying, hopefully you have a Real ID.