Millions of Georgians are expected to travel by road or air for Memorial Day weekend, AAA and the Georgia Department of Transportation predict.
The holiday period, which runs from Friday, May 23, to Monday, May 26, is typically one of the busiest travel times of the year. This year, AAA estimates 1.3 million Georgians will be traveling, up 45,000 from last year.
Nationally, 39.4 million people are expected to take a road trip, accounting for 87% of all Memorial Day travelers, AAA says.
Air travel should also be busy. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport projects 2.6 million travelers will pass through the airport from Wednesday to Wednesday. That’s up about 128,000 travelers from projections last year. Friday will be the busiest day with 378,000 passengers and more than 100,000 going through security.
To accommodate the surge in passengers, ATL.com recommends travelers arrive at least two to two and a half hours before their departure time and be familiar with the new parking deck traffic pattern. The airport is under construction for a new South Terminal parking deck that has changed some of the traffic patterns.
“When you get to the airport, you may see some traffic patterns that are a little different,” said Andrew Gobeil, ATL’s Senior Director of Communication. “Just follow the signs, make sure you’re well aware of where you’re going, and that will help.”
Despite the construction, all operating parking decks will remain open throughout the holiday. ATL also encourages passengers to consider other transportation options like MARTA or rideshare services, which have specific pick-up and drop-off locations.
For road travelers, the Georgia Department of Transportation predicts traffic will be heavy on Friday, especially from noon to 8 p.m. Saturday should see normal traffic, while Sunday and Monday will be light, and Tuesday will be back to normal post-holiday from 3 to 7 p.m.
GDOT will also be lifting road closures for the holiday period, starting at noon on Friday and running to 5 a.m. on Tuesday. Roadwork restrictions will be from noon on Friday, May 23, 2025, to 5 a.m. on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, to prohibit road closures during that time.
To help ensure a safe holiday weekend, the Georgia State Patrol will conduct high-visibility patrols through Operation Observation. The operation will target impaired and distracted driving from 6 p.m. Friday to 11:59 p.m. Monday.
“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,” said Col. William W. Hitchens III, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Safety.
GPB News contributed to this report
