AAA is predicting this Memorial Day weekend is going to be busy
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- AAA is predicting the fourth busiest Memorial Day since it started tracking the holiday 23 years ago. A half million people from Philadelphia are expected to travel 50 miles or more. That's just under pre-pandemic levels.
The airport was busy Tuesday. Officials say it'll get busier every day through Friday when air travel will peak. That's also the busiest day for drivers hitting the road for the unofficial start of summer.
As travelers already hit the highways for an early start to the Memorial Day weekend, Ronald is gearing up to drive on Friday to Codorus State Park near York, Pennsylvania with his grandkids for the weekend.
"It's just something my wife and I started with the kids and something we look forward to every year," he says.
Ronald also noticed some relief at the pumps for this year's road trip. A gallon of gas is a dollar cheaper compared to this time last year.
"It's a big difference," Ronald said.
That may be part of what's driving up the demand for people wanting to travel this weekend. Nearly 90% of all Philadelphia-area travelers, more than 440,000, will go by car. That's up 6% from last year, according to AAA.
Travelers like Sharon Macwilliams, of Mantua Township, New Jersey, are getting an early start to the Memorial Day weekend to warmer weather.
"Clearwater, Florida my son happens to live there," Macwilliams said. "And the rates the best."
"That's indicative of everyone is ready to travel normally again," Jana Tidwell said.
Tidwell, of AAA, urges drivers to avoid highways on Friday especially from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and on Monday from noon until 3 p.m.
"Friday will be the busiest travel day," Tidwell said. "If that's the day you're considering leaving for that great American road trip, you might want to consider early morning departure or after the afternoon, evening rush hour.
Tidwell adds air travel is up an impressive nine percent from last year despite higher prices and attributes the increase in air travel to a drop in COVID restrictions.
"So it's easier to now to travel internationally especially because those restrictions have been lifted," Tidwell said. "So we've seen international travel bookings soar in light of those restrictions going away."
Among them are Jennifer Scherry and her son Hunter from Dover, Delaware, who are flying to California Tuesday to see family.
"Usually it's cheaper and not quite as busy," Scherry said.
Tidwell says some of the top destinations are New York City, Boston, Washington, D.C., and the Carolinas.
AAA says the worst travel times are Friday afternoon and evening and Monday afternoon. If you want to save time driving officials say wake up a little earlier and leave before traffic or stay a little later and leave after the rush.