With so many vehicles expected on highways nationwide, AAA is urging travelers to prepare their cars before leaving home by checking batteries, tire pressure, and fluid levels. During last year’s Memorial Day weekend, AAA responded to more than 350,000 roadside assistance calls involving dead batteries, flat tires, and empty gas tanks.

Rental car demand is also expected to spike, with Thursday and Friday projected to be the busiest pickup days. Orlando, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Denver, and Boston are expected to see the highest rental demand in the country.

Heavy traffic expected in major metro areas

Drivers should prepare for significant traffic delays, especially on Thursday and Friday afternoons between 3 and 6 p.m., as well as Monday afternoon during the return trip home. Sunday is expected to be the lightest day for traffic.

Transportation analytics company INRIX says congestion tends to shift away from city centers and onto highways during holiday weekends, increasing crash risks as drivers travel unfamiliar routes.

Several major metro areas are expected to experience dramatic increases in travel times. In the Washington region, the drive from Washington, D.C., to Baltimore along the Baltimore-Washington Parkway could take nearly two hours Thursday afternoon, more than doubling normal travel times.

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Travelers driving around Philadelphia, New York City, and Boston are also expected to face major slowdowns throughout the holiday weekend.

Higher gas prices won’t slow travelers down

Travelers are also facing higher fuel costs this Memorial Day weekend compared to a year ago. The national average price for regular gasoline stood at $3.17 per gallon during Memorial Day weekend last year, while current prices are the highest since the summer of 2022. As of Monday, the national average was $4.515.

“Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer, and for most Americans, it’s a three-day weekend,” said Stacey Barber, Vice President of AAA Travel. “Travel demand remains strong, and despite higher fuel prices, many people are prioritizing leisure travel during holiday breaks.”

Air travel continues to increase

AAA projects approximately 3.66 million Americans will fly to their destinations this Memorial Day weekend, representing about 8% of holiday travelers. That figure marks a slight increase over last year.

Travelers who booked flights early may have benefited from lower airfare prices before rising jet fuel costs began affecting ticket prices. According to AAA booking data, domestic round-trip flights are averaging about $800 this year, roughly 6% cheaper than last Memorial Day weekend.

Popular domestic destinations include Orlando, Seattle, New York City, and Las Vegas, while Rome, Vancouver, Paris, and London top the list of international destinations.

Memorial Day events in Washington

Washington, D.C., is preparing for several major Memorial Day events honoring fallen service members and veterans.

The National Memorial Day Parade will return to Constitution Avenue on Monday, May 25, with veterans, active-duty military personnel, and musical performances. The parade outlines American sacrifice from the Revolutionary War through modern conflicts and will be filmed for a nationwide television broadcast.

The annual Rolling Thunder motorcycle rally is also returning Sunday, May 24, to raise awareness for prisoners of war, service members missing in action, and issues affecting veterans.

On Sunday evening, the National Memorial Day Concert will take place on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol. The free event honors military members and their families and will air nationally on PBS at 8 p.m.

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At Arlington National Cemetery, service members will place American flags at more than 250,000 graves in the days leading up to Memorial Day. The Memorial Day Flowers Foundation will also provide free roses to visitors paying tribute to fallen service members. Official cemetery tours will be available daily throughout the holiday weekend.

Cooler, stormy weather expected

The holiday weekend forecast for the D.C. area is expected to bring scattered storms and relatively cool temperatures. From Thursday through Monday, highs are expected to remain in the mid-70s with overnight lows in the mid-60s.