Memorial Day weekend is expected to see a record number of Americans hit the roads, with 45.1 million expected to travel domestically. While many will opt for road trips, some areas are worse than others when it comes to traffic congestion.
According to HERE Technologies, the worst cities for traffic include San Francisco’s Central Freeway, Los Angeles’ Route 60, and Chicago’s Kennedy Expressway. The New York metro area has the most highways of all 10 cities measured, with 62.6% experiencing increased congestion between April and May.
Drivers should avoid areas affected by recent road closures, such as the Pacific Coast Highway in Los Angeles and the Kennedy Expressway in Chicago. Here are some tips for avoiding traffic:
* Leave before noon on Thursday and Saturday
* Start driving before 11 a.m. on Friday
* Leave before 1 p.m. on Sunday and Monday to avoid returning home traffic
By planning ahead and avoiding peak hours, travelers can minimize their time spent in traffic and make the most of their Memorial Day weekend getaway.
Source: https://eu.usatoday.com/story/graphics/2025/05/22/traffic-map-memorial-day-weekend-2025/83774724007