NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Shawn Steward with AAA Kansas said that for those who plan to travel Memorial Day, you will be far from alone.
"AAA is projecting 42.3 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from their home this Memorial Day weekend," Steward said. "That's up more than 7% over last year. On the air travel side, it's even more of a significant jump. We're going to be back to above pre-pandemic levels, back from 2019, in air travel."
With the official elimination of the COVID-19 emergency at the federal level earlier this month, it should be back to pre-2020 in most ways.
"The limitations, the mask mandates and so forth, have been removed quite a while ago," Steward said. "I don't think anything is going to really change from what we've been seeing in the airports. It should be, pretty much, business as usual in terms of security. Mask wearing and so forth, we shouldn't have to deal with any of that this summer."
The vast majority of Kansans will be driving to wherever they go for Memorial Day.
"Here in Kansas, we're talking about 385,000 people traveling for the Memorial Day holiday overall," Steward said. "88.5% of those will be driving to their destination. The vast majority will be on the highways. Just expect busy, busy highways, especially during some peak times. We're talking about Thursday and Friday afternoon and evening, where holiday travelers mix with the rush hour, people getting out of work. Those are the busiest times. Then also Monday afternoon, on the holiday itself and then some people come back on Tuesday afternoon and evening."
The Kansas average for gas as of Tuesday morning was $3.25 a gallon. Reno County was the state's lowest average at $3.04 a gallon.
CLICK HERE to download the Hutch Post mobile app.
CLICK HERE to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.