AAA predicting busy Memorial Day weekend travel with Northeast Ohio among the destinations

Memorial Day 2023 is shaping up to be a busy travel weekend.

The American Automobile Association has seemingly been predicting travel volume for about as long as there have been cars and on Monday released its Memorial Day weekend travel forecast.

And it looks like things should be pretty busy on Northeast Ohio's interstates with popular tourist attractions like the Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Cedar Point farther to the west.

AAA says some 42.3 million Americans are expected to hit the road to travel 50 or more miles from home over the long holiday weekend.

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Looking at booking data, AAA says some cities like Orlando, Florida, and Las Vegas are popular destinations, with Canton and the Pro Football Hall of Fame also making the list.

This would represent a 7% increase over the previous year's numbers.

Memorial Day marks the traditional start of the summer travel season as schools wind down for the year.

“This is expected to be the third busiest Memorial Day weekend since 2000, when AAA started tracking holiday travel,” said Paula Twidale, AAA's senior vice president of travel in a statement. “More Americans are planning trips and booking them earlier, despite inflation. This summer travel season could be one for the record books, especially at airports.”

Some 3.4 million Americans are expected to fly over the weekend − an 11% increase over 2022. AAA says airports could see the busiest Memorial Day weekend in terms of travelers since 2005.

What will gas prices be like on Memorial Day?

Although gas prices saw an uptick in northern Ohio over the weekend, AAA says Memorial Day road trips are expected to be up 6% this Memorial Day.

Overall, AAA predicts gas prices should be lower this holiday weekend compared to last year when the national average was over $4 a gallon.

For those traveling through major metropolitan areas like Washington, D.C., or Atlanta, the busiest travel congestions are expected on Friday, May 26, when most motorists are expected to get a head start on the weekend.

“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, which tracks commutes and traffic congestion. “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.”

Craig Webb, who plans on taking an exotic trip to a sweaty gym in Northeast Ohio for an AAU basketball tournament over the Memorial Day weekend, can be reached at cwebb@thebeaconjournal.com.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: AAA predicting busy Memorial Day weekend travel with Canton on list