Road Trip Season Kicks Off This Weekend – Will the Weather Cooperate?

Posted: May 26, 2023 2:06 pm

It is going to be a crowded weekend on the roads as millions of Americans kick off the unofficial start to the summer with a trip away from home. What are the experts predicting for traffic levels this long Memorial Day weekend and where can you expect the weather trouble spots?

Here are all the details that you will want to know if your holiday weekend plans are taking you on a road trip.

Inside the Road Trip Prediction Numbers

Although Memorial Day road trip numbers are still hovering slightly below pre-pandemic levels, the AAA is expecting about 6% more motorists to hit the road this upcoming weekend when compared to last year. This equates to about 37 million Americans planning to travel via road over 50 miles away from home.

One of the reasons for the increase in road trippers when compared to 2022 is lower gas prices. The AAA said that the average price of a gallon of gas is $1.05 less than last year, adding up to significant savings at the pump.

If you have not already left your home, you may be in for some headaches. Travel experts at AAA recommend waiting until Saturday if you did not get out of the house prior to noon on Friday. Friday afternoon and evening will be the busiest time to travel, followed by mid-day Monday.

Where to Expect Weather-Related Delays

The most significant X factor when taking to the roads is if the weather will cooperate. The nation’s heartland and the Northeast look to be in good shape heading into the holiday weekend.

You can count on dry weather throughout the bulk of the Midwest, the Great Lakes, and up through New England. Most of the southern Plains and Gulf Coast should also be in the clear.

The West Coast will be mostly nice with the exception of some pockets of rain in the Pacific Northwest. It will be warm and dry throughout the Desert Southwest. However, it will be a different story for the Intermountain West and the western edge of the Northern Plains where sporadic rain showers could slow down motorists.

Wind will also be a potential issue for areas of western Nebraska and Kansas. Winds will clock in at 20 to 30 mph with higher gusts possible throughout much of the region.

The worst of the weather impacts will happen at the beginning of the weekend with drier and calmer conditions on tap for Memorial Day itself. Travelers heading home in this part of the country should enjoy better road conditions.

The biggest trouble spot will be in the Southeast and the mid-Atlantic. A large area of low pressure centered off of the coast of the Carolinas is producing numerous rain showers and thunderstorm activity that will infiltrate the region through the first half of the weekend.

Travelers along Florida’s eastern coastline will also be dodging rain to start the weekend.

The weather is expected to improve in this part of the country from south to north beginning later on Sunday. This means that Memorial Day should be mostly pleasant for the majority of the East Coast.

It is always a good idea to check the hourly forecast along your journey before hitting the road. You will want to know what to expect so that you are prepared for any potential hiccups on your road adventure.

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