A record number of Americans are expected to travel this Memorial Day long weekend. If you’re planning to be among them, travel experts are advising taking some important steps to prepare for the busy holiday.
About 45 million people are likely going to travel 50 miles or more from their homes over the long weekend, according to AAA’s forecast. Of those, 39.1 million are expected to travel by car, and 3.66 million are projected to fly.
The forecasted numbers mark a slight increase from last year, when 44.8 million people traveled during the Memorial Day long weekend.
“Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer, and for most Americans, it’s a three-day weekend,” Stacey Barber, Vice President of AAA Travel, said in a statement. “Travel demand remains strong, and despite higher fuel prices, many people are prioritizing leisure travel during holiday breaks.”
Here are some tips on how to dodge the crowds and keep travel costs down.
Travel on off-peak days
AAA spokesperson Aixa Diaz told TIME in a statement that travelers should consider booking flights that depart and return on off-peak travel days, such as those in the middle of the week rather than on Fridays and Saturdays. Flights on off-peak days tend to be less expensive.
Those who are planning to drive may similarly want to consider leaving and returning on off-peak days to avoid getting stuck in traffic. Roads will likely experience the most traffic congestion on Thursday, May 21 and Friday, May 22 between 3-6 p.m., according to INRIX, a transportation analytics company. The afternoon of Monday, May 25 will also likely see some of the heaviest congestion, INRIX predicted. But Sunday, May 24 is expected to be the lightest day in terms of traffic.
Think about which mode of transportation makes the most sense for you
Diaz advised travelers to determine which mode of transportation is the best option for them, given their destination and how many people they’re traveling with. Depending on their situation, one may be more cost effective than the other. And if you want to beat the crowd at the airport, you could consider driving—but be aware that you may have to trade airport lines for the traffic.
You could also consider traveling another way. Approximately 2.2 million people are expected to travel by bus, train, or cruise over the long weekend, according to AAA.
Plan ahead
Diaz recommended that travelers who want to save money not check a suitcase and only fly with a carry-on bag. But it’s important to be aware of airlines’ policies, because sometimes the cheapest flight options—such as some basic economy tickets—don’t permit free carry-on bags.
For those who are driving, Diaz advised them to plan their route beforehand. AAA recommended that drivers check their car’s battery, tire pressure, and fluids before embarking on their trips. During last year’s holiday weekend, the organization said, it responded to more than 350,000 emergency roadside assistance calls regarding people who were stranded on the road because of dead batteries, flat tires, and empty fuel tanks, among other car troubles.
Pack snacks
Whether traveling by plane or car, Diaz suggested that people pack snacks for their trips in case they get hungry, and to avoid spending extra money while en route to their destinations. But, if the person is flying, they should make sure that any snacks they bring follow TSA policy.
If the person is driving, they should also pack some water for the road, Diaz said.
Consider less popular travel destinations—or a ‘staycation’
The top 10 destinations within the U.S. for the Memorial Day long weekend, according to AAA booking data, are Orlando, Seattle, New York, Las Vegas, Miami, San Francisco, Anchorage, Chicago, Denver, and Boston. Some of the most popular international destinations for the holiday weekend include Rome, Vancouver, Paris, London, and Athens.
Diaz suggested that people who wish to travel over the long weekend but are still deciding where to go consider places that aren’t as popular, but that still have what they’re looking for. For instance, if someone wanted to go to the beach, rather than going to the busy tourist beach spot, they could consider a smaller beach town nearby.
And people may also want to consider doing a “staycation” if they want to avoid the travel chaos altogether. Diaz said that people could try exploring the tourist attractions in their area that they’ve never experienced, or try new restaurants.
The post Memorial Day Weekend Travel Is Expected to Break Records in the U.S. How to Beat the Crowds—and Keep Costs Down appeared first on TIME.
