Record Memorial Day Traffic Expected: Best, Worst Times To Travel In GA

ATLANTA, GA — The bustling Memorial Day weekend could be a prelude to what travel may look like in Georgia come summer, with officials predicting more than 2.6 million passengers will pass through the Atlanta airport in the next week.

Travel forecast agency AAA expects record-breaking 1.38 million Georgians to travel for Memorial Day this year, a 45,000 rise from last year. Nationally, 45.1 million people will travel.

More than 39 million people, or 87 percent of travelers, will hit the roads this weekend, AAA predicted. In Georgia, the auto club forecasted 1.23 million people to travel by car.

Air Travel

While the Georgia State Patrol's 78-hour holiday travel period will not begin until Friday, millions of passengers will visit the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport between May 21 and May 28. That is according to Augustus Hudson, airport assistant general manager for emergency management.

Hudson spoke at a news conference Tuesday, when airport officials shared their travel forecast for the holiday. He added Friday, when at least 378,000 people will pass through the airport, is shaping up to be the single busiest day of the travel period.

Between Thursday and Friday, more than 195,000 passengers could fly out of Hartsfield, leaving airport officials to encourage early arrival for boarding.

Hartsfield will open all of its parking lots, with Hudson promising construction for its ATL Next initiative will not be a concern.

He advised people arrive at least two hours early for domestic travel and three hours in advance for international travel.

"We are doing everything we can to make this holiday travel season pleasant for you," Hudson said. "With a little planning and patience, we're confident we'll have a great experience."

While a normal day in the security line generally lasts about 20 to 30 minutes, Hudson warned of a much longer wait time for the Memorial Day weekend.

At least 710,000 passengers will be screened in the next week, Transportation Security Administration Deputy Federal Security Dir. Lalit Lal said at the news conference.

Travelers must be compliant with REAL ID, a new requirement for domestic air travel.

Residents who are age 18 and older must show a REAL ID or another form of federally approved identification to board domestic flights, enter military bases or go into federal buildings, according to the Georgia Department of Driver Services in the past.

“All travelers 18 years and older must have a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or an acceptable alternate form of identification to avoid delays while traveling,” Lal said in the news release.

Atlanta Police Department Airport Precinct Commander Maj. David Wilson encouraged people to keep security checkpoints in mind when packing their bags.

Airport officials suggested the following:

• Check flight status and potential travel advisories before heading to the airport.
• Follow TSA guidelines to expedite the screening process. Avoid bringing prohibited items. Visit the “What Can I Bring?” section on TSA's website for details.
• Check for real-time updates on parking, security wait times and concessions on Hartsfield's website and social media channels.
• Reserve parking.

Road Travel

The price of gas may be on drivers' sides as AAA projected lower gas expenses than last year.

In 2024, the average price for a gallon of regular gas was $3.35 in Georgia. On Wednesday, the average cost at the pump was $2.93.

“As Memorial Day is considered the unofficial start of summer and travel demand picks up, there’s a chance that pump prices will edge upward,” AAA spokeswoman Montrae Waiters said in the release. “Historically, gas prices tend to peak in the spring or summer before gradually easing as schools reopen in the fall.”

Georgia State Patrol on Wednesday alerted residents to a high presence of law enforcement on the roads for Memorial Day.

The GSP's holiday travel period will be held from 6 p.m. Friday until 11:59 p.m. Monday and will run in conjunction with Operation Observation, a state-sponsored initiative that will be held Friday.

“We want everyone to enjoy this holiday weekend with family and friends by focusing on your driving behavior and minimizing distractions that could lead to serious or even fatal consequences,” Col. William W. Hitchens III, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Safety, said in a news release.

These are the best and worst times to travel by car in Georgia:

Interstate 20 east, from Atlanta to Augusta, will see a 43 percent rise at 5:15 p.m. Thursday. Estimated travel will be 1 hour and 58 minutes.

GSP shared these safety tips:

• Observe the posted speed limit.
• Observe all traffic laws and signals.
• Do not drive impaired.
• Make sure everyone in the vehicle wears a seatbelt and children are in the appropriate child safety seat.
• Show common courtesy to other motorists and pedestrians on the roads.
• Pay attention to large trucks and buses.
• Do not drive distracted. Georgia is a hands-free state: No texting while driving.
• Call 911 or *GSP in the case of an emergency. (See other tips via the GSP).

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