Nearly 2 million Virginians expected to travel for Memorial Day

Do you have big plans for Memorial Day weekend? If so, you’re not alone. AAA predicts that nearly 2 million Virginians are expected to travel at least 50 miles between Thursday and Monday, a 3.6% increase over 2018.

Nationwide, roughly 43 million Americans are expected to travel for the holiday weekend. The auto club expects that 37.6 million (or 88%) of travelers will use an automobile, while 3.25 million use air travel and 1.9 million use other modes of travel, such as bus, rail, and cruise ship.

According to AAA, the average price for a gallon of gas in Virginia today is only $2.58, which could result in even more Virginians hitting the roads.

Expecting an increase in traffic, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will lift most lane closures from noon Friday, May 24 until noon Tuesday, May 28.

Based on historical trends, VDOT expects the worst congestion to occur Friday and Monday from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., and mid-day Saturday and Sunday.

Those traveling on I-95 South and I-64 East on Saturday or Sunday should expect traffic, as should anyone driving on I-95 North or I-64 West on Monday afternoon or evening.