Get ready for one last surge of traffic headed to the Delaware beaches this Labor Day weekend.
“Travel volumes have been strong all summer and this weekend will likely be no different as many cap off summer travel with one last hurrah,” AAA Mid-Atlantic spokesperson Jana Tidwell said.
Labor Day is actually the least traveled of the three major summer holidays, including Memorial Day and Independence Day, according to Tidwell, so no need for July Fourth flashbacks.
Car ride and park on Rehoboth Avenue in Rehoboth Beach, Tuesday, March 28, 2023.
“Because many kids have returned to school in our region or will be in the coming days, not everyone travels long or far for Labor Day,” she said. “But, there are certainly plenty of locals who will squeeze in one last long summer weekend before returning to the fall routine of work and school.”
The best times to drive this weekend? Before lunch, AAA says. Typically, the worst times to drive are in the afternoon and early evening.
Changes at the beaches: How the Indian River Inlet’s north side beach fared during Hurricane Erin
Delaware Department of Transportation spokesman C.R. McLeod said his agency has seen traffic volumes increase on the Thursday before long weekends, likely due to people taking Friday off or working remotely.
On Labor Day weekend last year, between Friday and Monday, Delaware had 272 reported crashes, McLeod said, which resulted in two fatalities and 74 people injured.
More: Delaware home sales and median price dip in July. Sussex highest in sales and price
“We certainly encourage everyone traveling this weekend to leave extra time for travel and be patient and attentive,” McLeod said. “Nice weather also means that there will be plenty of people on bikes, running/walking, and on motorcycles, and slowing down and obeying speed limits is critical for everyone’s safety.”
Shannon Marvel McNaught reports on southern Delaware and beyond. Reach her at smcnaught@gannett.com or on Facebook.
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Traffic to pick up with Labor Day weekend travelers at Delaware beaches
