As more people get vaccinated and pandemic restrictions ease, more travelers are anticipated to hit Oregon roads this Memorial Day weekend and over the summer.
Travelers need to plan ahead, add travel time, and pack their patience for expected congestion and delays. Plan routes carefully, considering the many wildfire recovery areas around the state and continued wildfire risk.
The usual holiday cautions are also in place to help reduce risk: pay attention, put down the cell phone, and of course, drive sober.
Traffic rates are nearly back to typical levels on all state roads. AAA estimates 485,000 Oregonians are planning a trip to kick off summer. Nearly 93 percent will go by car. This is up 60 percent from last year when people stayed home due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Know road conditions before heading out by checking Tripcheck.com or calling 5-1-1. An Oregon Department of Transportation summer construction map shows major planned projects throughout the state. To reduce risk to drivers and crews while helping traffic flow, most ODOT construction crews will pause roadwork projects between Friday, May 28 and Tuesday morning, June 1.
Destination reminders:
- Parking lots can fill up quickly at popular recreation areas. Plan ahead, get there early and have back up places to visit.
- Park only in designated areas.
- Local law enforcement may ticket or tow cars parked along a roadside or another undesignated area.
- Most recreation destinations may be open, but some roads to get there could be closed.
