PHOENIX — Nearly 1 million Arizonans are expected to hit the road or take to the skies this Memorial Day weekend, setting a new travel record for the holiday despite higher fuel costs, according to AAA.
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AAA projects 973,000 Arizonans will travel at least 50 miles from home between Thursday, May 21, and Monday, May 25, up from 967,000 last year.
The trend mirrors national numbers. Across the country, AAA forecasts 45 million Americans will travel for the holiday weekend, with 39.1 million driving and 3.66 million flying.
Most will drive, according to AAA. While gas prices are higher than last Memorial Day, with the national average sitting at $3.17 per gallon, airfare is actually lower this year for travelers who booked early.
The vast majority of Arizona travelers, more than 850,000, are expected to drive to their destinations. About 84,000 are expected to fly out of airports around the state, including Phoenix Sky Harbor.
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AAA is urging travelers to plan ahead. Thursday, Friday, and Monday are expected to be the busiest travel days, with the worst congestion between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday is expected to be the lightest travel day.
AAA anticipates about 350,000 roadside service calls nationwide over the holiday weekend. Last year, more than 6,300 Arizona motorists needed roadside assistance.
The organization is also reminding drivers to slow down and move over for stopped vehicles on the roadside, and to designate a sober driver before getting behind the wheel.
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