NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) – Travelers need to plan ahead if they want to avoid Memorial Day travel delays- officials expect record-breaking travel volumes in the state this year.
The American Automobile Association expects nearly 44 million travelers nationally driving and flying this Memorial Day Weekend. Driving will be the trending method of transport with nearly 1.5 million more drivers expected to be on the roads than in the air. AAA officials expect Friday to be the busiest travel day with peak times from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
AAA Director of Public Affairs Tiffany Wright says to plan ahead and create a vehicle checklist before hitting the roads. Checklists should include inspecting tire pressures, checking fluid levels and checking batteries.
Officials expect to aid over 300,000 stranded drivers this weekend. Wright says the association plans to rescue thousands of stranded vehicles in the Carolinas alone.
Wright says to leave early as irresponsible driving during busy weekends can have disastrous outcomes.
“Traveling can be very stressful,” Wright says. “That’s why I say give yourself plenty of time to reach your destination, be tolerant of other drivers.”
Officials estimate 3.5 million passengers will travel by air to popular destinations like Orlando, Florida and Rome, Italy. Charleston International Airport officials say they expect a three to 5% increase in travelers from last year’s holiday weekend.
Charleston International Airport officials opened one extra TSA checkpoint and additional terminal lanes to get through the large volume of traveler quickly.
CHS Deputy Executive Director Spencer Pryor says airport staff increases to accommodate the busy weekend’s travelers.
“We do staff up as well as TSA does,” Pryor says. “They do staff up when they know there are busy peak times such as holidays, when they bring in more of their agents as we do with our police department.”
Pryor says air travelers must should try arriving at least an hour and a half ahead before flights for the best outcome.
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