AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - The two-state region is getting ready for expected record-breaking travel this coming Memorial Day weekend, the unofficial start of summer.

AAA predicts a record 1.38 million Georgians will travel at least 50 miles from home over the Memorial Day period. That’s an increase of nearly 45,000 compared to last year.

The peak travel time on Georgia roadways, especially in metro Atlanta, will be from noon to 8 p.m. Friday, with moderate congestion Saturday. Traffic will be light to normal Sunday and Monday, according to state officials.

Interstate 20 is predicted to have light congestion eastbound and westbound in west Georgia near Alabama.

AAA expects more than 45.1 million nationwide to travel for Memorial Day weekend. That’s 1.4 million more domestic travelers than last year. It’s also a new Memorial Day weekend record, surpassing the previous record set back in 2005 with 44 million people.

AAA projects 39.4 million people will travel by car over Memorial Day weekend. That’s 1 million more travelers than last year. This year, 87% of Memorial Day travelers will take a road trip.

Fortunately, a trip to the gas pump should be lower than last year.

Gas is set to be the cheapest it’s been in years as nearly 40 million Americans are expected to hit the road for Memorial Day.

Georgia State Patrol officers and local police will keep a careful eye on the roads from Friday afternoon until Monday night, according to the Georgia Department of Public Safety.

The department recommends driving early in the morning, as congestion increases in the afternoon and night.

“We want everyone to enjoy this holiday weekend with family and friends by focusing on your driving behavior and minimizing distractions that could lead to serious or even fatal consequences,” DPS Commissioner Colonel William W. Hitchens III said in a statement.

Last year, troopers investigated more than 500 crashes in the state, which led to hundreds of injuries and 11 deaths. More than 500 people were also arrested for DUI, the department said.

To help ease travel and cut down on delays, the Georgia Department of Transportation said it will suspend all interstate lane closures from Friday at noon through Tuesday at 5 p.m.

If you need roadside assistance, two GDOT services are here to help. Contact the Coordinated Highway Assistance and Maintenance Program or Highway Emergency Response Operators by dialing 511.

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND

On the road: Stay alert and buckle up, troopers say

1. Officials are asking drivers on the road this weekend to avoid distracted driving and buckle up.
2. Fifteen people were killed in vehicle crashes during the 2024 Memorial Day holiday weekend in the Peach State, according to the Georgia Department of Public Safety.
3. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said half of the passenger vehicle occupants killed in crashes in Georgia from 2019-2023 were not wearing seat belts.
4. “State troopers and officers will be out in full force patrolling interstates and state routes and local streets around Georgia, not just to write tickets, but to save lives,” said Lt. Col. Kendrick Lowe, deputy commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Safety.

The national average price of a gallon of gas is expected to be $3.08 on Memorial Day, according to projections released Tuesday by Gas Buddy. That’s the lowest price at this time of year since 2021.

If you consider inflation, it’s the cheapest gas has been since 2003, excluding the COVID-19 pandemic.

Gas in Georgia is running $2.93 per gallon, or $2.88 in Augusta. The price in South Carolina was $2.80 per gallon, including in Aiken and Edgefield counties.

Drivers can still find ways to save even more at the pump.

• Start by peeking at current prices on the AAA fuel site and using the AAA gas cost calculator to get an idea of the cost of your road trip.
• Once you hit the road, remember that the gas stations right off the interstate are usually the most expensive. If you want to save money, drive farther down the road for cheaper gas. AAA members receive stackable discounts on gas through the Fuel Rewards® program at participating Shell stations.
• After you fill up, avoid speeding. Fuel economy peaks around 50 mph on most cars, then drops off as speeds increase. Reducing highway speeds by 5 to 10 mph can increase fuel economy by as much as 14%.

By air

Airports are bracing for another bustling holiday weekend. AAA projects 3.61 million air passengers, a nearly 2% increase over last year when 3.55 million travelers took to the skies.

While this Memorial Day weekend isn’t expected to set an air travel record, officials do expect to set one at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the world’s busiest.

Officials say they expect 2.6 million travelers to pass through the airport for the Memorial Day period this year.

According to AAA booking data (based on what travelers paid when booking Memorial Day weekend flights):

• Domestic flights are 2% more expensive than last year, with the average round-trip ticket costing $850.
• Most of those flights are to popular destinations like Chicago, New York, Orlando, Denver, and Seattle.

By other modes

Travel by other modes continues to rise steadily post-pandemic.

AAA projects 2.08 million people will travel by train, bus, or cruise over Memorial Day weekend, an 8.5% increase over last year. This category now surpasses pre-pandemic numbers from 2018 and 2019, but it doesn’t reach the record numbers of the early 2000s, when more people chose trains and buses after 9/11.

Cruising’s growing popularity is highlighted by the strong demand for Alaska cruises this season. Top domestic cruise destinations for Memorial Day weekend include Fairbanks, Anchorage and Juneau. Overall, travelers are turning to cruises in record numbers. Earlier this year, AAA projected a record 19 million Americans planned to take cruises in 2025.

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