JEFFERSON COUNTY, Ohio (WTOV) — Hitting the road for Memorial Day weekend? AAA predicts this holiday weekend to see the second-highest travel numbers since 2000.
Around 44 million people are expected to travel 50 miles or more, whether that's by car, train, or plane. That is a 4% increase from last year.
If you have already booked a plane ticket, be sure to give yourself some extra time at the airport. Officials said the holiday weekend will see the most crowded airline traffic since 2005.
The Transportation Security Administration predicts it will screen more than 18 million travelers and airline crew members during the seven-day stretch that begins Thursday, up 6.4% from last year. Friday is expected to be the busiest day for air travel, with nearly 3 million people passing through checkpoints. The TSA record is 2.91 million, set on the Sunday after Thanksgiving last year.
United Airlines forecasts its biggest Memorial Day weekend, with nearly 10% more passengers than last year. Delta Air Lines expects to carry 5% more passengers this weekend, kicking off its heaviest summer schedule ever of international flights.
According to AAA, the top domestic and international destinations are familiar ones. They include Orlando, Las Vegas, London, Paris and Rome.
As for those driving through the United States, law enforcement agencies are preparing for the influx of vehicles on the road.
"We're going to have several units out, even working overtime just to put as many guys out on the roadways as we can," said Lt. Robert Bodo of the Ohio State Highway Patrol Wintersville Post. "We want people to have a good time on their holiday, but just be smart about it."
Officials said drivers should also expect similar gas prices as 2023.
The nationwide price of gas is around $3.60 a gallon, about 6 cents higher than a year ago, according to AAA.
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The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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