The Memorial Day weekend is set to kick off with a surge in travel activity, particularly on Thursday, when the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) anticipates more than 54,000 flights across the nation. Despite rising gas prices, a significant number of travelers are expected to hit the roads rather than fly.
While airports will experience their peak activity on Thursday, the majority of holiday travelers will opt for road trips. According to AAA, over 39 million Americans are planning to drive to their destinations over the weekend, underscoring a strong preference for car travel during this holiday period.
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In Illinois, however, the ongoing conflict with Iran and the resulting spike in gas prices have led to a slight decline in road travel enthusiasm. Many families are adapting by choosing shorter trips or staying closer to home to manage their travel budgets effectively.
AAA’s projections for Illinois suggest that approximately 2.1 million residents will take to the highways, which marks a minor decrease from last year’s 2.11 million. This subtle shift reflects how economic factors can influence travel behavior, even during popular travel weekends.
Many people are choosing shorter getaways or staying closer to home.
AAA says in Illinois, around 2.1 million people are expected to drive, a slight decrease from the 2.11 million last year.
AAA says the regular gas price average for Illinois: $5.01 a gallon, compared to around $3.44 a gallon last year.
The national average is about $4.56 a gallon, compared to $3.18 a gallon.
The cheapest gas in neighboring states, in order of cheapness are Indiana, Wisconsin and Michigan.
If you’re heading out Thursday, the worst traffic is expected between 3 and 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and on Monday afternoon.
Clear roads are expected on Sunday, according to traffic analysts.
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