Memorial Day 2022: Best, Worst Times To Travel From Atlanta

ATLANTA, GA — Travel this Memorial Day will look a lot different from the past couple of years, according to a recent forecast by the American Automobile Association.

As the coronavirus pandemic continues, people in metro Atlanta are yearning to travel. That desire will likely manifest in a surge of travelers this Memorial Day weekend, AAA predicts, adding that between May 26-30, more than 39.2 million people are expected to travel 50 miles or more from home.

The number represents an increase of 8.3 percent from last year, and a massive, 60 percent increase from 2020 when 23 million people traveled over the holiday, the lowest on record since AAA started recording in 2000.

Traveling by vehicle will remain the most popular way to vacation, with nearly 35 million Memorial Day holiday travelers expected to take to the roads this weekend.

That's not to say that the air travel volume won't be utilized. After beginning to rally last Thanksgiving, air travel numbers will hit levels just shy of 2019 with 3 million people expected to take to the skies this Memorial Day weekend, according to AAA.

Partnering with travel analytics firm INRIX, the auto club predicts that drivers will encounter the longest travel delays during the afternoons of May 26 and May 27.

If you plan to travel by car from metro Atlanta and prefer to avoid the rush, be aware that the peak travel time is expected to be from 3:30-5:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 26, according to AAA. The busiest corridor is expected to be I-85 South, from Clairmont Road to MLK Drive.

Here are the times expected to be the best, and the worst, to head out to your destination this weekend.

• Worst: 1 to 8 p.m.
• Best: Before 6 a.m. or after 9 p.m.

• Worst: noon to 7 p.m.
• Best: Before 7 a.m. or after 9 p.m.

• Worst: 1 to 6 p.m.
• Best: Before 10 a.m.

Sunday

• Worst: 1 to 4 p.m.
• Best: Before 10 a.m.

• Worst: 1 to 4 p.m.
• Best: Before 11 a.m.

Delays will be widespread, AAA predicts, but drivers in several major U.S. metros could experience double the travel times compared to a normal trip. Drivers in Atlanta, Chicago and New York could see more than two times the delay on the busiest corridors.

While most COVID-19 restrictions have eased, it’s important to keep safety in mind for yourself and others. For those looking to take a few extra precautions, AAA recommends:

• Traveling with your bubble. This type of travel rose in popularity during the pandemic, when many opted to vacation with people they were in close contact with. Consider taking a group trip to divvy up costs for things like activities and accommodations. If everyone is spread out, a travel agent can help manage the logistics.
• When booking a place to stay, look for accommodations that prioritize cleanliness and have implemented additional housekeeping standards since the start of the pandemic. In 2021, AAA enhanced its housekeeping evaluation to include objective, scientific validation of the cleanliness of common surfaces throughout hotels. Hotels that meet these new standards are now recognized as Inspected Clean. Look for this designation or to browse all of AAA’s Diamond properties, visit online.
• Everything from airports to restaurants to attractions will be busier this Memorial Day, which means more people congregating. AAA advises travelers to follow CDC guidance, which at this time, is still recommending that people wear masks in indoor public transportation settings (airports, bus/train terminals, public transportation like subways/metros, airplanes, trains and buses).