The American Automobile Association (AAA) and INRIX, the premiere provider of transportation data and insights, expect that Friday, May 26th will be the busiest day on the roads during the long 2023 Memorial Day weekend. The best times to travel by car are in the morning or evening after 6:00 p.m. The lightest traffic days will be Saturday and Sunday. Major metro areas like Boston, New York, Seattle, and Tampa will likely see travel times double compared to normal.
“With lower fuel prices and more travelers on the road compared to last year, drivers should expect long delays this holiday weekend, especially in and around major metros as commuters mix with Memorial Day travelers,” said Bob Pishue, transportation analyst at INRIX. “Knowing when and where congestion will build can help drivers avoid the stress of sitting in traffic. Our advice is to avoid driving during peak hours or use alternative routes.”
Best/Worst Times to Travel by Car:
- Thursday, May 25
- Worst Travel Time: 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm
- Best Travel Time: Before 1:00 pm
- Friday, May 26
- Worst Travel Time: 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm
- Best Travel Time: Before 12:00 pm
- Saturday, May 27
- Minimal Traffic Impact Expected
- Sunday, May 28
- Minimal Traffic Impact Expected
- Monday, May 29
- Worst Travel Time: 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm
- Best Travel Time: Before 10:00 am
- Tuesday, May 30
- Worst Travel Time: 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
- Best Travel Time: Before 2:00 pm, After 6:00 pm
For purposes of this forecast, the Memorial Day holiday travel period is defined as the five-day period from Thursday, May 25 to Monday, May 29. The five-day holiday length is consistent with previous holiday periods.
For Real-Time Traffic and construction information, visit I-4 Traffic.
