San Diego a top Memorial Day destination for Southern California travelers

Traffic in San Diego File photo courtesy SANDAG What is expected to be a record-setting Memorial Day holiday trip period will begin Thursday with the Automobile Club of Southern California predicting million SoCal residents will head out on long weekend journeys The predicted number of travelers would be a increase from and would mark the third straight year of record-breaking advance by Southern California residents on Memorial Day weekend Lower costs are contributing to heavier excursion In Southern California gas prices are about to cents lower per gallon than at this time last year and the national average price is about cents lower than a year ago according to gasprices aaa com Consumers continue to prioritize trip with family and friends after the pandemic Jena Miller the Auto Club s vice president of trip products noted This year they will get a few price relief at the gas pump car rental counter and when flying internationally but they will spend more on domestic flights hotels cruises and tours compared to The holiday journey period officially begins Thursday and lasts through Monday according to the Auto Club Of the million Southern California travelers million are expected to drive to their destinations with about flying and taking other transportation such as bus train or cruise Auto Club administrators noted that gas prices in Southern California are averaging about to cents less per gallon than they were a year ago Transportation evidence firm INRIX advised that the afternoons and evenings on Thursday and Friday will be the busiest times to progress The busiest stretch of freeway is expected to be the northbound Golden State Freeway between Los Angeles and Bakersfield on Friday afternoon evening with the expedition time increasing by INRIX advised travelers to start their drives before noon Thursday The top local destinations for Southern Californians will be Las Vegas San Diego the Central Coast and nearby national parks such as the Grand Canyon according to the Auto Club Nationally the Auto Club predicts that million Americans will passage for the holiday weekend up from last year and besting the previous Memorial Day record of million set in The top national destinations are expected to be Orlando Seattle New York Las Vegas and Miami City News Function contributed to this review