Ohioans face fourth busiest Memorial Day; Best travel tips offered
Ohio can expect to see the fourth busiest Memorial Day with 1.6 million residents, and 42.3 million Americans, travelling for the holiday.
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AAA projected these vacationers would travel 50 miles or more from their home for Memorial Day weekend, a spokesperson for the company said. This would equate to a seven percent increase from 2022.
Locally, Ohioans were expected to experience the fourth busiest Memorial Day travel with more than 1.6 million people traveling the same distance. This equated to a six percent increase over last year, which was on-par with the national average.
“We are seeing strong consumer confidence despite inflation as more people are planning trips and booking them earlier,” AAA Spokesperson Kara Hitchens said. “Across the nation, this is expected to be the third busiest Memorial Day weekend since 2000 and the fourth busiest in Ohio.”
Nationally, 3.4 million travelers were expected to fly and 37.1 million were expected to drive.
On the other hand, 86,138 Ohioans were expected to fly, while 1.45 million were expected to drive.
With these numbers on the rise from last year, many were expected to face impacted roads and airports.
Friday, May 26, was expected to be the busiest day with the lightest traffic days on Saturday and Sunday. Major cities could see commute times doubling than normal. As a result, the best times to travel by car were in the mornings or evenings after 6 p.m.
“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,” Bob Pishue, transportation analyst at INRIX, said. “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.”
Due to high traveler impact, AAA provided the following tips for headache-less travelling:
Highways will be busy with nearly 9 in 10 Memorial Day holiday travelers driving to their destinations. Pack your patience, and expect traffic congestion, especially during peak travel times – Thursday and Friday evening and Monday and Tuesday evenings during the holiday weekend.
Plan it out, because a road trip is not just about going from point A to point B. To make the most of your travels, research points of interest along the way, think about where you might stop for meals or an overnight stay, if necessary, and identify those options that best suit your budget. Road trippers can also use AAA TripTiks or seek assistance in AAA Retail/Travel stores for mapping out their routes. For those traveling across toll roads, retail locations in most Ohio AAA stores sell the EZ Pass transponders. This can be a great savings for drivers.
Gas prices are much lower than a year ago, when the state and national averages were ramping up to all-time record levels reached in June 2022. Cheaper prices at the pump will make filling up less of a burden to the bank account.
Make sure your vehicle is road trip ready by getting it in for a check-up, including your vehicle’s tires, battery and fluids. Service bays will be busy. Travelers are encouraged to make an appointment today with a trusted mechanic at any AAA Approved Auto Repair location.
AAA Emergency Roadside Service crews are on call to help drivers who will experience car trouble and call for assistance during the Memorial Day weekend. Last Memorial Day, AAA roadside service crews responded to more than 16,000 calls for assistance across Ohio by members left stranded by dead batteries, tire troubles, engine breakdowns, lockouts – and even drivers who ran out of gas.
Look for ways to save money – The AAA mobile app identifies the least expensive gas or EV charging stations along a chosen route. The Discounts & Rewards that come with AAA membership include many hotel chains, rental car companies including Hertz, the Fuel Rewards Program at Shell stations, and NAPA Auto Parts.
Practice safe driving to ensure you, your family and other drivers make it safely to their holiday destinations. Stick to the posted speed limit, avoid distracted driving, don’t drive impaired by drugs or alcohol, and have everyone in the vehicle properly restrained by a seat belt or child passenger seat.
‘Slow Down, Move Over’ to protect the lives of emergency workers and individuals dealing with a stalled vehicle on the roadside. All 50 states have a ‘Move Over’ law to protect these people in precarious locations, mere feet from speeding traffic. Always move over a lane, or slow to an appropriate safe speed when approaching a vehicle or people on the side of the road.
Be aware of weather and road conditions by checking national or local weather apps, especially those that provide localized, hourly forecasts, location-based severe weather alerts, and detailed, in-motion radar maps. Most states have an online resource that shows updated road conditions and closures. Ohio road conditions may be found at https://www.ohgo.com/.
Prepare for the unexpected instance of a flat tire, vehicle breakdown, or crash during your trip. Have your AAA membership number and program the Roadside Service number into your mobile phone. Also, make sure you have everything you need to keep you - and your passengers - safe and comfortable, especially in the heat of summer. AAA Emergency Kits are available at most AAA Retail locations or online, or you can stock your own to include the following:
Jumper cables/jump pack
Basic set of tools
Car emergency warning devices such as road flares or reflectors
First-aid kit
Flashlight with extra fresh batteries
Rags, paper towels or pre-moistened wipes
Tarp, raincoat and gloves
Blanket
Extra drinking water/snacks for everyone in the car, including pets
Extra medicines
Phone charger
