AAA Predicts Big Memorial Weekend Travel Numbers
STEVENSVILLE, Md. (WJZ) --If you are planning to usher in the summer with Memorial Day holiday travel, you're not alone. AAA Mid-Atlantic expects more than 670,000 Marylanders to travel by car, the second highest number since 2000.
Pat Warren has more on the holiday preps.
The good news is gas prices are expected to be about the same as last Memorial Day weekend. The other good news is one of the state's great travel destination spots is ready for you.
The food is ready.
"Gotta have Thrashers fries when you're at the beach, right?" one man said.
The water's fine.
"We're a five-star beach according to the Natural Resources Defense Council," one woman said.
The police are on patrol.
"We're going to be targeting impaired drivers, aggressive drivers, those that are driving while distracted and certainly speeders," said Lt. Col. Jerry Jones, Maryland State Police.
And Ocean City is addressing one more thing.
"People are using their vacation days, AKA paid time off, for activities other than enjoying a day at the beach," said Richard Meehan, Ocean City mayor.
An ad encouraging Marylanders to spend vacation on vacation is an added incentive that may be working. Ocean City Mayor Meehan expects a bigger holiday weekend than in previous years.
"There's just something for everybody in the family to enjoy in Ocean City," Meehan said.
And with 670,000 Marylanders expected to travel this holiday weekend, chances are a good number will be landing there.
"We certainly think that the long and cold and brutal winter that we have seen over the last few months really has not only Marylanders, but Americans in general, really eager to travel over this Memorial Day holiday weekend," said Ragina Averella, AAA.
The State Highway Administration suggests you use the free travel service hotline 5-1-1, which monitors traffic conditions around the clock.
AAA Mid-Atlantic expects to come to the rescue of more than 30,000 stranded motorists during the Memorial holiday weekend.
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