Travelers are gearing up to break some records this Memorial Day weekend, according to AAA. The organization predicts that a whopping 45.1 million people will be hitting the road and traveling 50 miles or more from home during this holiday weekend. This marks an increase of 1.4 million compared to last year and sets a new record for Memorial Day travel. The previous record of 44 million was set back in 2005. So, get ready for some serious traffic jams!
Massachusetts drivers, in particular, are in for a rough time on Friday, as per the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT). The Highway Administrator, Jonathan Gulliver, is reminding everyone to plan for extra time, stay focused on the road, check travel and weather updates, and most importantly, arrive safely at their destination. According to MassDOT, Friday will be the busiest day on the road, with Saturday morning not looking too great either. Traffic is expected to ease up on Saturday evening but will peak on Sunday and Monday between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
If you happen to be traveling from Boston to Manchester on I-93 N, be prepared for one of the most congested routes in the country. INRIX, a transportation data provider, reports a 123% increase in traffic levels, with the peak congestion expected on Monday at 12:15 p.m., where it will take about 1 hour and 36 minutes to get through. To help ease the holiday traffic, the I-93 Boston-Quincy HOV lane will be deployed earlier on Thursday and Friday, at 2 p.m. and 1 p.m. respectively. However, it won’t be in operation on Monday and will resume its regular schedule on Tuesday.
For those hitting the road over the holiday weekend, INRIX suggests avoiding travel between 1 and 9 p.m. on Thursday, noon to 8 p.m. on Friday, 2 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, and 4 to 7 p.m. on Monday. The best times to travel are before noon on Thursday, before 11 a.m. on Friday, before noon on Saturday, before 1 p.m. on Sunday, and before 2 p.m. on Monday. If you’re looking for real-time traffic updates and conditions, you can download the Mass511 mobile app or visit their website for live cameras, travel times, and alerts.
Boston has been named one of the top Memorial Day destinations in the U.S. by AAA, so if you’re planning to spend the weekend in the city, be prepared for some crowds and traffic. And remember, it’s all part of the holiday fun! So, buckle up, pack your patience, and enjoy the ride. It’s going to be a record-breaking Memorial Day weekend on the roads!
