CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Despite rising gas prices, travel this Memorial Day weekend is expected to be busier than ever.
According to AAA, more than 200,000 West Virginians will travel over the long weekend, a 5 percent increase from 2017. Gas prices are also at its highest prices since 2014.
“We have a strong economy and growing consumer confidence,” AAA retail manager Autumn Bess said. “It has Americans motivated to kick off their busy summer travel this weekend.”
Bess said traffic will be heavy on Thursday and Friday afternoons as daily commuters and holiday travelers hit the road.
“Make sure you leave plenty of time to get to your destination and pack your patience,” she said.
According to Bess, the top travel destinations are Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and Florida.
“You definitely want to be aware of congestion when you are traveling south,” she said. “When you are coming home on I-77, expect delays when you are entering West Virginia, as traffic goes to two lanes down to one due to that long-term construction project.”
She added drivers should be aware of their surroundings and leaving ahead of schedule in preparation for heavy congestion.