Memorial Day travel is poised to surpass a 2005 record, with an estimated 45 million Americans expected to hit the roads between Thursday and Monday. According to AAA’s travel forecast, this would be about 1.4 million more than last year, representing a 3% increase.
Utah residents can expect delays on Utah roads, with drivers warned of congestion up to 30-55 minutes. The state’s Department of Transportation has highlighted the following areas as potential hotspots:
* Southbound I-15 in Salt Lake County: Delays possible between noon and 8 p.m. on Friday, with peak delays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
* Nephi area: Delays up to 25 minutes possible between noon and 8 p.m. on Friday
* Eastbound U.S. 6: Delays up to 10 minutes possible between 2 p.m. and 9 p.m.
* Zion National Park: Expect long lines at entrance stations, trailheads, visitor centers, and restrooms, as well as waits for shuttle services.
Despite these warnings, gas prices in Utah remain above the national average but below last year’s levels. The average price for a gallon of regular gas is $3.31 across the state.
To help alleviate congestion, all active roadway projects will be suspended this weekend to open up lanes and reduce delays. However, some lane restrictions and traffic shifts may still occur in certain areas.
Additionally, Utah continues to offer competitive charging rates for electric vehicles, with an average price of $0.30 per kilowatt-hour at over 800 stations.
Source: https://www.ksl.com/article/51317287/udot-warns-of-traffic-delays-of-up-to-30-55-minutes-this-memorial-day-weekend