Memorial Day weekend journey might create delays of as much as 90 minutes in Utah

SALT LAKE CITY — National and state transportation officers don’t anticipate gasoline costs this Memorial Day weekend, that are the best for the vacation in 4 years, to dissuade the unofficial begin of summer time journey.

Approximately 45 million Americans are anticipated to journey at the least 50 miles between Thursday and Monday, with home journey projected to interrupt a brand new vacation file, in keeping with AAA projections. Over 85% of individuals will drive throughout that point.

“Despite higher fuel prices, the underlying desire to travel remains positive and strong as travelers are prioritizing leisure summer getaways,” stated Cyndi Zesk, senior vp of journey for AAA Mountain West Group, in an announcement.

These might result in delays of 15 to 90 minutes on some routes at numerous occasions in the course of the weekend, Utah Department of Transportation officers warn.

The largest delays are anticipated in Spanish Fork Canyon, the place a building zone close to Thistle Junction is anticipated to stay in place to guard the security of the work zone.

Just a few different lane restrictions or site visitors shifts could stay in different components of the state, whereas UDOT says it’ll droop building and open all lanes to site visitors throughout most of its current initiatives to assist cut back journey points.

Utah’s gasoline value index

Utah’s common value for a gallon of standard gasoline rose to $4.69 on Thursday, in keeping with AAA. That’s $1.38 per gallon from the vacation weekend final yr, and the best for Memorial Day journey since 2022, the group famous. It’s nonetheless roughly 57 cents decrease than the all-time peak set in July 2022.

Higher gasoline demand, blended with the extended closure of the Strait of Hormuz for the reason that Iran warfare started in late February, is prone to hold costs excessive firstly of the summer time journey season, stated Aldo Vazquez, a spokesman for AAA Mountain West Group.

Gas costs are usually decrease throughout the Wasatch Front and northwest Utah, and so they’re increased in northeast and southwest Utah this weekend. Averages vary from as little as $4.64 per gallon in Tooele County to as excessive as $4.97 in Piute County.

KSL spoke with a number of drivers on Thursday, who had been cut up on their weekend plans. Taunie Braito stated she plans to journey for the vacation and can doubtless in the reduction of on streaming companies and different bills to offset increased journey prices. Many stated they doubtless gained’t journey far this yr, largely due to the upper costs.

“Gas is getting to be a little bit on the expensive side,” stated Mike Flinn.

Salt Lake airport prepares for busy vacation weekend

Another 8% of Americans will fly in the course of the vacation weekend, AAA added.

Salt Lake City International Airport anticipates having 28,000 passengers go via its entrance doorways on Friday, much like Thursday’s projections. With related numbers arriving on the airport for the week, Tuesday figures to be equally busy, in keeping with Nancy Volmer, a spokeswoman for the airport. The numbers are barely increased than what was reported in 2025.

Flyers are urged to reach at the least two hours earlier than boarding their home flight and three hours earlier than departure for a world flight. That ought to assist them deal with parking, baggage and safety screening delays, she stated.

Some current road projects could add to those delays. Travelers ought to assessment UDOT’s website for journey impacts close to the airport, Volmer added.

Contributing: Brian Carlson