Few Memorial Day Travel Headaches, Most Wait Times Bearable
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- A record-setting holiday weekend! Millions of people across the country were expected to drive, fly and ride to celebrate Memorial Day---including more than 800,000 Marylanders.
Rick Ritter has more on the scene at the airport and on the roads.
Three-hundred-and-eighty-eight million people were expected to travel nationwide this holiday weekend---the most in years. It was nothing short of a hectic weekend for those on the road and in the air.
Long lines, steady traffic and some quality family time.
"Being together, that's the best thing. Can't beat it," said Keith Nixon.
It's all part of the holiday weekend.
"But it's medium hectic," said Jeni Cameron.
For Memorial Day, roughly 34 million people were expected to hit the roadways.
"We're seeing an increase in people who will be traveling by car this year," said Ragina Cooper Averella, AAA.
Cameron is one of them; she's making her way back from Disney.
"Fredericksburg to DC is always terrible," she said.
Nixon and his family can relate to the traffic, too.
"It's been pretty good. A little thick in certain areas but been pretty good," he said.
While enjoying the cheaper gas.
"We've been gassing a lot. Gas is pretty good; we've been getting some pretty good prices," he said.
AAA says there was an increase in those flying this holiday weekend---and with TSA lines a major concern, many weren't taking any chances.
Michele Bell and Stevie Clifford were visiting from southwest Florida.
"BWI is a really big hub so we were concerned and we're here three hours before our flight and there are no lines," Bell said.
The two are part of the seven percent bump in air travel this year, an increase Dave Wagner hasn't noticed.
"No waits at the airport in Phoenix or here," Wagner said.
A holiday rush that's now coming to an end, with everyone giving thanks to those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
"I'm just incredibly thankful for them, for this country, for the freedom and being able to fly on Memorial Day weekend," Bell said.
If you're watching this and haven't left to head back home, AAA says the best thing at this point is to wait until after 10 p.m. Monday to hit the road.
Despite a recent uptick, AAA estimates that gas prices for this time are the lowest they've been in more than 10 years.