274,000 Idahoans projected to take holiday getaway

If you’re traveling for Memorial Day weekend, be prepared to spend a few extra minutes in your car or at airport security. 

According to AAA, 45.1 million Americans, including 274,000 Idahoans, will kick off the summer travel season with a holiday vacation, setting a new Memorial Day travel record in the process.

“With 1.4 million additional travelers on the roads and in the air this year, getting an early jump on the day of your trip could spare you some serious slowdowns,” said AAA Idaho public affairs director Matthew Conde. “Despite lingering concerns over rising prices, many Americans are still committed to reconnecting with loved ones — but some may travel shorter distances to do it.”

The best times to travel by car are Thursday, May 22, before noon, and on Memorial Day before 2 p.m. The worst times on the roads are Thursday and Friday afternoon before the holiday, and from 4 to 7 p.m. on Memorial Day. 

Eighty-seven percent of this year’s Memorial Day travelers will go by car — with 39.4 million people taking a road trip (including 1 million more than last year), it’s a new record for auto travel. Travel by air is up 2% from a year ago, and travel by other modes (cruise, trains, buses) is up 8.5% from a year ago.

This year’s top Memorial Day destinations for Idahoans include Las Vegas, Seattle, Anaheim/Los Angeles, the Oregon Coast and Orlando.