AAA expects to rescue more than 4,600 CT drivers over Memorial Day weekend

HARTFORD, CT (WFSB) - AAA predicted that Memorial Day weekend will be one of the busiest on record in terms of travel.

The auto club told Channel 3 that more than 337,000 Connecticut residents planned to drive to their holiday destination.

It also said its emergency roadside crews expects to respond to more than 4,600 AAA members across Connecticut who may be left stranded by dead batteries, tire troubles, lockouts and empty gas tanks,

Last year across the country, AAA said it responded to more than 460,000 calls from members over the Memorial Day weekend. This year, that number is expected to be well over 480,000.

“We live by the water, so we’re usually at home.”

But this Memorial Day weekend, the Marsh family packed up the car and hit the road. They’re heading from Boston to the big apple to see family visiting from England.

“It’s been good, there’s been very little traffic. We did take the kids out of school today so we’d miss the craziness that’s probably coming,” said Cassie Marsh, Massachusetts.

Halley Furrier and her family are traveling from New Hampshire down to New York City for the long weekend.

“We go every Memorial Day. We stopped for a couple of years for COVID, now we’re back at it. This year is the first year back,” said Halley.

According to AAA, 1.7 million New Englanders will get behind the wheel this holiday weekend.

“It will be busy, most folks are going. The people that stay out and about in CT go for picnics, they go to amusement parks, they go Mystic, they go to the casinos, they go up to Hartford. There’s a lot to do in the state if you’re staying home,” said Fran Mayko, AAA Northeast.

Gas prices are part of the reason for the increase in travelers.

Right now, the average for a gallon of regular gas in our state is $3.63. Last year at this time it was $4.68.

In order to avoid both the inconvenience and the expense of a breakdown, AAA encouraged all motorists to make sure their vehicles were road-ready before heading out.

Travelers can have their vehicles inspected by a trusted mechanic at any AAA Car Care, Insurance and Travel Center or any AAA Approved Auto Repair.

Whether preparing for a trip this Memorial Day weekend or getting ready for a Great American Road Trip this summer, AAA reminded drivers to make sure their cell phones were fully charged and that they have a fully-stocked summer emergency kit on hand.

CTroads.org gives you real-time traffic maps, along with travel alerts, and even text alerts to your phone.

Copyright 2023 WFSB. All rights reserved.