HYANNIS – Memorial Day weekend travel is expected to reach its highest level nationwide since 2005.
AAA is projecting that 39.3 million Americans will travel more than 50 miles from home, including 900,000 people in Massachusetts – 800,000 of which will drive.
Mary Maguire, a AAA Northeast spokeswoman, said bridge traffic coming onto the Cape should be expected as early as this evening.
“Who can blame anyone for wanting to get to Cape a little earlier,” Maguire said. “Especially if the weather is good.”
The number of travelers in the state is expected to increase by 3 percent over last year’s Memorial Day weekend.
Maguire said travelers may want to check traffic reports before leaving for Cape Cod.
“Gauge the levels of traffic before you head out on the roadway because it makes no sense to be sitting at one of the bridges in a five-mile back up if you can wait until there is a one-mile backup,” she said. “We know there is going to be some kind of a backup.”
The cost of gasoline could help to get more people out on the roadways this weekend. In Massachusetts, the average price of a gallon of gas fell one cent this week to $2.28.
“That is really, I think, spectacular for holiday travelers because of the fact that typically at this time of year we will see a run-up, historically of prices,” Maguire said.
Maguire said people traveling by car should make sure their vehicle is in working order before leaving home.
COURTESY OF AAA
AAA recommends getting a tune up and having your vehicle’s battery checked.
“A lot of people don’t realize that extremely hot temperatures take just as much of a toll almost on your battery as extremely cold temps do,” Maguire said.
Tires should also be checked for proper tread depth.
“We’ve got some rain in the forecast and that makes roads slippery,” Maguire said.
Fluids should be topped off and hoses should be checked, along with windshield wipers.
“Take your car to a professional. Have an oil change. Have a summer tune-up done,” Maguire said. “And that way you won’t have to worry about being delayed as you are trying to get to your visit with friends and family.”
AAA projects they will rescue more than 330,000 motorists this weekend.
“We don’t want you to be one of them,” Maguire said. “We love helping you out but we don’t want you to be delayed getting to where you are going.”
Drivers are also urged not to drive drowsy, distracted, drunk or drugged.
“It’s really an important message because of the fact that we see much higher levels of drunk driving crashes during holiday weekends, including Memorial Day weekend.”
About 2.9 million Americans are expected to fly during the holiday weekend, which would be an increase of 5.5 percent over 2016. Travelers using other modes of transportation, including cruises, trains and buses, are expected to total 1.75 million, a 2.9 percent increase from a year ago.
By BRIAN MERCHANT, CapeCod.com NewsCenter
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