Traveling this holiday weekend? Here's what to expect

Credit: File photo

Across the state, Georgians will be on the move for Memorial Day. Experts offer recommendations for travelers in the air and on the roads.

Airport travel

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport expects 2.6 million travelers to pass through the airport during the holiday period, from Wednesday, May 21, through Wednesday, May 28.

"It's actually an increase, a little, but about 128,000 or so over last year's projections," Andrew Gobeil, the Senior Director of Communication at Hartsfield-Jackson, told GPB's Catherine Callaway.

Friday is expected to be the busiest day at the airport, according to Gobeil, with 378,000 passengers at the airport and over 100,000 who will be screened through security.

"So it is going a busy day, but we're used to it," he said. "We're making plans, we are working with all of our partners and collaborating to make sure it is a smooth, pleasant and efficient experience for all of our travelers."

Regarding dealing with wait times and knowing your whereabouts and flight information, Gobeil recommends that travelers be prepared before they come to the airport.

"The best traveler is well-prepared, so we want someone to know where they will be going before they get here," he said. "Go to our website atl.com. Follow your airlines to make sure you've got the latest information for flight numbers and flight departure times, and be prepared and have a plan before you get here so by the time you get there, you know where you're going to park, where you're going to walk in, which security line you'll walk through, and then you'll head on out to the concourses and sit down and relax and have a nice coffee and a beverage before you head on your flight."

Passengers can also check their wait times on the airport's website.

Hartsfield-Jackson's goal is for passengers to wait no more than 20 to 30 minutes, and Gobeil shared that the company expects to "stay well within that goal during most of the travel period."

"Now, like at all times, we've got kind of a rush hour effect, so early in the morning, mid-afternoon, it'll be a little bit busier, and the wait times may expand just a little," he said, "but we work with our TSA partners, airline partners, we make plans and preparations for the numbers coming in. We have known for quite some time what the projections would be, so we're sure that TSA will be staffing their locations, our guest services and operations teams will have enough adequate staff there, and our airlines are prepared as well."

Parking and transport

With Hartsfield-Jackson undergoing construction for the new parking deck in the South Terminal, there is a new traffic pattern for parking and pickup at the airport.

The airport usually halts construction, which would impact operations before busy holidays, but the new South Deck has changed traffic patterns.

"When you get to the airport, you may see some traffic patterns that are a little different," Gobeil said. "Just follow the signs, make sure you're well aware of where you're going, and that will help."

He recommends passengers arrive at the airport at least two to two and a half hours before their departure time to ensure they find a place to park that they can walk through, as the South Terminal area has only two open lanes of traffic.

Despite the reduced lanes and construction in the South Terminal area, all operating parking decks will remain open during the holiday period.

"That's one of the reasons why we want people to go to the website," Gobeil said. "You'll be able to see which decks would be most opportune for you and see what's open when you get here. We expect that the parking decks will be crowded, but we don't expect that we'll be closing any of them down. So you want to make sure that you prepare and you're well aware of where you're going when you get here."

The drop-off and pickup locations for rideshare services like Uber and Lyft will remain the same.

"We always urge people to take alternate means of transportation," Gobeil said. "Take MARTA, take rideshare services. Use those to get to the airport."

Memorial Day is the first holiday on which many travelers will use the new Real ID rules, following the May 7, 2025 deadline.

Gobeil says there "have been no real concerns" about passengers traveling with Real IDs after working with TSA partners to set up a system "to ensure that any issues or challenges were addressed."

"We've been very happy with how everything has worked out," he said. "We want to ensure that people are prepared and follow the directions from TSA and our guest services representatives. They'll tell people where to go, but we think everything will be fine."

Roads

AAA predicts 1.3 million Georgians will travel during Memorial Day weekend, an increase of 45,000 from last year.

"Despite economic uncertainty and global challenges, travel remains a priority for Americans, with millions eager to make memories with a Memorial Day getaway," AAA Vice President of Travel — The Auto Club Group, Debbie Haas, said in a statement.

AAA also projects that 87% of Memorial Day travelers — about 39.4 million people — will take a road trip during the holiday period nationally.

The company clarifies that gas prices should be lower this year, as "so far this spring, gas prices have avoided the usual seasonal spikes, largely due to lower crude oil costs."

However, a AAA spokeswoman says gas prices may increase ahead of summer and travel season.

"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," said Montrae Waiters, AAA – The Auto Club Group spokeswoman. "Historically, gas prices tend to peak in the spring or summer before gradually easing as schools reopen in the fall."

Georgia state troopers will be on high-visibility patrols this Memorial Day weekend as part of Operation Observation, aimed at cracking down on impaired and distracted driving during the 78-hour holiday period beginning 6 p.m. Friday, May 23, and ending 11:59 p.m. Monday, May 26.

“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.

In 2024, troopers issued more than 14,000 citations, made over 500 DUI arrests and responded to more than 500 crashes, resulting in more than 250 injuries and 11 fatalities. DPS reminds motorists to observe speed limits, avoid impaired or distracted driving, wear seat belts, and use appropriate child safety seats to help ensure a safe holiday for all travelers.

For emergency assistance, drivers are advised to call 911, GSP, or 511. Traffic updates will be posted on DPS’s X account.

The Georgia Department of Transportation released a forecast of the traffic pattern flow for metro Atlanta leading into the holiday weekend:

Caption

The Georgia Department or Transportation released a 7-day travel forecasts for the Memorial Day holiday period in Metro Atlanta.

Credit: GDOT

• Wednesday, May 21 with normal traffic expected from 3 to 7 p.m.;
• Heavy traffic on Thursday, May 22, and Friday, May 23 particularly between noon and 8 p.m.;
• Normal traffic on Saturday, May 24;
• Light traffic on Sunday, May 25, and Memorial Day, Monday, May 26 all day;
• Normal traffic post-holiday on Tuesday, May 27 from 3 to 7 p.m.

Road work restrictions will be in place for the holiday from noon Friday, May 23, 2025, to 5 a.m. Tuesday, May 27, 2025, stopping road closures interfering with traffic from being conducted during that time frame.