UDOT warns of traffic delays of up to 30-55 minutes this Memorial Day weekend

SALT LAKE CITY — Memorial Day weekend is often viewed as the unofficial start to summer travel, and this holiday weekend could be especially busy across the country, including in Utah.

Related: 60,000 passengers expected to depart SLC Airport ahead of Memorial Day weekend

Over 45 million Americans are expected to travel at least 50 miles from home between Thursday and Monday, which would surpass a record set in 2005, according to AAA’s travel forecast. Its projection would also be about 1.4 million above last year’s travel, representing a 3% increase.

The organization says many Americans plan to spend the holiday weekend with loved ones, but will likely do so closer to home because of travel costs. It helps that the nationwide average cost of gas is down by over 40 cents per gallon compared to this time last year, which could explain why it expects automobile travel to jump by 1.2 million.

“Lots of our members are booking regional getaways and old-fashioned road trips,” said Cyndi Zesk, senior vice president of travel for AAA Mountain West Group, in a statement last week.

Bracing for delays

While Utah isn’t included on AAA’s list of heaviest travel areas in the U.S., Utah Department of Transportation officials say travel congestion on Utah roads could lead to large delays at points over the holiday weekend. The agency released its weekend outlook, warning drivers that:

• Delays of up to 30 minutes are possible on southbound I-15 in Salt Lake County between noon and 8 p.m. on Friday. Peak delays are expected between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.
• Delays of up to 25 minutes are also possible on southbound I-15 in the Nephi area between noon and 8 p.m. on Friday. Peak delays are expected by about 5 p.m.
• Delays of up to 10 minutes are possible on eastbound U.S. 6 between 2 p.m. and 9 p.m., as well.

Some additional delays are also expected in southwest Utah this weekend, especially as people travel to the state’s national parks. Delays of up to 10 to 15 minutes are possible for people trying to reach Zion National Park from either St. George or Cedar City on Saturday and Sunday, UDOT officials said.

Zion National Park received more than 92,000 visits during Memorial Day weekend last year, and similar attendance is expected again this weekend. Park rangers said visitors should plan for long lines at entrance stations, as well as other places like trailheads, visitor centers and restrooms.

Visitors may also experience long waits to board the shuttles in Springdale and Zion Canyon in and around the park. “Intermittent, temporary” closures of vehicle entrance stations are also possible, according to the park.

UDOT adds that the largest delays could be on Memorial Day. Delays of up to 55 minutes are possible on westbound U.S. 6 between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. on Monday. Delays of up to 25 minutes are also possible on northbound I-15 in the Nephi area between noon and 9 p.m.

All active roadway projects will be suspended this weekend to open up all lanes of traffic to reduce congestion, UDOT officials said. Some lane restrictions and traffic shifts could be in place in some project areas scattered across the state.

Utah’s fuel index

Utah’s average gas price remains above the national average ahead of Memorial Day, but it is below what it was a year ago, AAA reported on Wednesday.

The average price for a gallon of regular gas is $3.31 across the Beehive State, about 13 cents above the national average. It’s up a few cents per gallon from last month, yet down 37 cents from in late May 2024, per the organization’s data.

Gas is generally the cheapest along the Wasatch Front and northern Utah, and more expensive across northeast Utah, southeast Utah and parts of central Utah, per AAA’s Fuel Price Index.

Related: Despite economic concerns, Americans are set on getting away for Memorial Day weekend