AAA: Expect more cars, longer drives over Memorial Day weekend

The number of D.C.-area residents traveling over the Memorial Day weekend is expected to hit a 10-year high, thanks in part to a drop in gas prices.

AAA Mid-Atlantic estimates that more than 921,000 area residents will travel farther than 50 miles from home this weekend, a 4.5 percent increase over last year.

The vast majority of travelers will take to the roads, creating the likelihood of holiday weekend traffic jams.

The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments predicts that the worst time to hit the roads will be Thursday afternoon.

Last year, the Thursday before Memorial Day was “among the worst traffic days of the entire year,” according to a study by the Council of Governments. Of the three days leading up to the holiday weekend, traffic on area roadways slowed the most between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. that day.

That doesn’t mean travelers will be in the clear if they embark Friday. The study found traffic slowdowns stretched out over a longer period on the Friday before Memorial Day, beginning as early as 11 a.m. and lasting into the evening.

Across the country, AAA Travel estimates that 37.2 million people will travel over the holiday weekend.

AAA Mid-Atlantic spokesman John Townsend said the increase in holiday traffic this year is due in part to lower gas prices that are making vacations more affordable for area residents.

“The regional economy continues to shine with an inner glow, fueling more growth and attracting more residents, and gas prices across the metro area are still trending well below last year’s price point,” he said.

Ahead of the holiday weekend, the average price for a gallon of gasoline was $2.65 — 99 cents less per gallon than last year. AAA estimates that roughly 90 percent of D.C. area residents who travel this holiday weekend will take to the roads. Approximately 67,300 area travelers are set to fly, a 2 percent increase over last year.

The Maryland Transportation Authority estimates that between Friday and Monday, more than 360,500 vehicles will travel over the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. The agency is encouraging drivers to travel during off-peak hours in order to avoid the bridge’s notorious delays.

And while Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan recently announced that Bay Bridge tolls will be lowered, the cuts won’t be in effect this holiday weekend. Drivers will have to pay a $6 toll through June 30. The fee will drop to $4 starting July 1, just in time for the next big summer holiday.