DAYTON — The unofficial start of summer is here and with it, plenty of travel plans for Memorial Day. According to AAA’s first travel forecast of the summer season, more than 1.48 Ohioans will travel (50 miles or more) over the Memorial Day holiday weekend, representing a 6.9 percent increase over last year. Kicking off the summer driving season, more than 92,000 greater Dayton-area travelers will drive to their destinations. The Memorial Day holiday travel period is defined as Thursday, May 26 to Monday, May 30.
“Ohioans are ready to kick off the Memorial Day weekend with a trip,” said Lori Comer, AAA retail manager. “After a long winter and cold spring, locals are ready to pack up the car, or catch a flight, a bus or a train in order to enjoy the warmer weather.”
Busiest travel days/times will be Thursday and Friday (May 26 and 27), as afternoon commuters mix with holiday travelers.
Nationwide, AAA is predicting 39.2 million people will travel 50 miles or more from home this Memorial Day weekend. This is an increase of 8.3 percent over 2021, bringing travel volumes almost in line with those in 2017.
Road trip ready
While some maintenance and repair tasks are best left to certified automotive technicians, there are several basic items motorists can easily check themselves between trips to their auto repair facility, including the following:
Windshield Wiper Blades – If wiper blades are worn, cracked or rigid with age, they will not adequately remove rain, grime and other debris that can obscure driver vision. If the wiper blades are sufficiently deteriorated, the metal wiper blade frame could contact and permanently damage the windshield.
Tire Pressure – Check and adjust tire pressure, including the spare. Always inflate tires to the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended settings—not the maximum pressure molded on the side of the tire.
Tire Tread – Check the tread depth by inserting a quarter upside down into a tire groove with Washington’s head facing outward. The tread should cover part of Washington’s head. If any of the area above Washington’s head is visible, it’s time to start shopping for new tires.
Battery – Have your battery checked, especially if it is over three years old. Summer heat breaks down the battery internally and accelerates the rate of corrosion on vehicle’s battery terminals.
