Memorial Day weekend: Travelers pack Chicago roads, expressways, O'Hare and Midway airports; festivals, beaches open
Share this @internewscast.com

CHICAGO (WLS) — The tarmac at O’Hare Airport was a busy place Friday, one of the busiest travel days of the year.

With the start of Memorial Day weekend, many travelers got ready to head out of town and were excited.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

According to the Chicago Department of Aviation, Thursday was projected to be the busiest day at O’Hare, while Midway would see the peak number of travelers on Monday.

This weekend is anticipated to break travel records. Nationwide, AAA estimates that over 45 million Americans will travel, surpassing the previous record set in 2005.

Tiffany Knauer is heading to visit her son in Florida, and she expected the airport to be more crowded.

“I expected worse,” Knauer said. “I am pleasantly surprised. The traffic outside was even better.”

O’Hare Airport was preparing for more than 1.5 million travelers passing through the terminals over the long weekend, marking nearly a 7% increase compared to the same period last year.

American Airlines is expecting a big increase in the number of flights and travelers going through Chicago over this time last year.

“Planning for this weekend started months ago, back in October, as we figured out when we wanted to fly, where we wanted to fly and how we wanted to use our gate space,” said Ben Humphrey with American Airlines.

United Airlines said they’ll fly 67,000 seats on average a day out of O’Hare, with Friday being their busiest day.

This will also be the first holiday travel period with the new Real ID requirement at airports. Travelers were encouraged to arrive early to airports as TSA deals with the new requirements.

With the Kennedy Expressway under construction, officials are urging people to take public transit to O’Hare.

On the roads, AAA says about 87% of travelers, or 39 million people, will be driving between Thursday and Monday, up 1 million over last year. They will enjoy lower gas prices than a year ago at this time, as well as slightly cheaper hotels and rental cars.

That’s good news for holiday travelers like Jen Richards, whose family has a full agenda planned for the weekend.

“We went to the Botanic gardens with the toddler, and now we are going to dinner and my mother has a sweatshirt with all the grandchildren’s pictures on it,” Richards said.

Several events this holiday weekend are allowing people in the Chicago area to bathe in the pre-summer fun.

IDOT and Illinois State Police are ramping up efforts to pull over passengers not wearing their seat belt, part of their “click it or ticket campaign.”

For those staying in the Chicago area, there was no better way to kick off the holiday weekend than music in the streets.

Preparations were underway Friday for the start of The Belmont Sheffield Music Festival. The Lake View event is marking its 40th anniversary with live performances and vendors serving up food and other merchandise.

“Besides the sunshine, we have a great line-up of bands. We have a lot of local cuisine,” said Maureen Martino, Executive Director of the Lake View East Chamber of Commerce. “People come back to this neighborhood, who used to live here many, many years ago.”

It’s one of several events this weekend allowing people to bathe in the pre-summer fun. Another option is to bathe in the waters of Lake Michigan.

The lakefront beaches were officially opened for the summer Friday, and people can take a swim, if it’s safe, between 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The Memorial Day weekend is also bringing the Sueños Music Festival back to Grant Park for Saturday and Sunday. Crews were setting up on Friday for pop star Shakira to take to the stage this weekend.

READ MORE | Sueños Music Festival coming to Grant Park this weekend

It’s weekend of celebration in Chicago no matter what the vibe is.

“And, we still are loving the vibe of being small enough to see your neighbors and talk,” Martino said. “But, it’s actually a big festival”

Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Trump calls Butler widow, Secret Service agrees to meeting after call for accountability

Trump Phones Widow of Butler: Secret Service Accepts Meeting Following Demand for Responsibility

The widow of Corey Comperatore, a victim of a shooting at a…
Waycross teens killed by lightning strike, city manager says

City Manager Reports Teen Deaths from Lightning Strike in Waycross

Waycross City Manager Ulysess Rayford said the two teens were fishing when…
Debris from a plane crash site with rescue workers.

Crash Investigators Attribute Fatal Error by Air India Pilots for Disaster, Killing 260 After Takeoff

PILOT error is suspected in the Air India crash which killed 260…
‘Skillhouse’ Star Bryce Hall On His New Horror Film, Social Media, And 50 Cent Controversy: “He Was Trying To Hold The Film Hostage For $5 Million”

‘Skillhouse’ Lead Bryce Hall Discusses New Horror Movie, Social Media, and 50 Cent Drama: “He Wanted $5 Million to Release the Film”

When considering influencers from content houses, Bryce Hall often comes to mind.…
DHS arrests five illegal immigrants convicted of serious crimes, including murder and child abuse

DHS captures five undocumented individuals previously found guilty of severe offenses such as murder and child abuse

On Friday, the Department of Homeland Security reported the detention of five…
Georgia teen who raised 'awareness' about mother, stepfather's deaths on TikTok now charged with their murder

Georgia Teen Who Publicly Mourned Parents on TikTok Is Now Charged with Their Murders

In Georgia, a teenage girl is facing charges for the alleged murders…
Casey Anthony on a date at a bar.

Casey Anthony, Dubbed ‘Most Hated Mom in America,’ Seen in ‘Situationship’ with Former Cop and Gun Shop Owner

CASEY Anthony is back in the spotlight, this time sharing beers with…
Darius Miles set for trial Dec. 1 in Tuscaloosa shooting

Darius Miles’ Trial for Tuscaloosa Shooting Scheduled for December 1

In Tuscaloosa, Alabama, former Alabama basketball player Darius Miles is scheduled to…

Tragic Loss: TikTok Influencer Aldo Miranda, 32, Discovered Dead at His Residence; Last Emotional Post Surfaces

TIKTOK star Aldo Miranda has died at 32 after sharing a devastating…
Close-up of Maria Shalaeva.

Putin Official Accused of Using $100M Military Jets to Fly Young Mistress Amid Kremlin Scandal

A SEX scandal has shaken the Kremlin as a high-ranking Putin official…
Kendra G, Raven Smith join Windy City Weekend; Val and Ryan talk Bud Billiken Parade, Windy City Smokeout, new movies

Kendra G and Raven Smith Team Up on ‘Windy City Weekend’; Val and Ryan Discuss Bud Billiken Parade, Windy City Smokeout, and Upcoming Movies.

CHICAGO (WLS) — On Friday morning, Val Warner and Ryan Chiaverini invited…
Photo of a man and his granddaughter.

Granddaughter’s Desperate Appeal After Grandfather Disappears Following 8,000-Mile Journey for Her Graduation

A grandfather vanished just a day after undertaking a journey of over…