Memorial Day Travel Surge: 5.6 Million Expected to Gridlock Tri-State Airports, Bridges, and Tunnels
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Fort Lee NJ, The unofficial start of summer is here, and it is bringing a historic travel rush to the New York and New Jersey metropolitan area.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has announced that a staggering 5.6 million travelers are expected to flood regional airports, bridges, and tunnels during the five-day peak Memorial Day holiday travel period spanning from Thursday, May 21, to Monday, May 25, 2026.
With air traffic projected to break all-time records and roads hitting maximum capacity, the agency is taking drastic measures—including suspending non-emergency construction—to keep the region moving.
Whether you are catching a flight out of JFK or driving across the George Washington Bridge, here is your essential survival guide for the holiday weekend.
🛫 Air Travel: Over 2.1 Million Passengers to Break Records
The Port Authority anticipates a record-shattering 2.1 million passengers will pass through John F. Kennedy International (JFK), Newark Liberty International (EWR), LaGuardia (LGA), and New York-Stewart International airports between Thursday and Monday.
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Busiest Travel Days: Friday, May 22, and Memorial Day, Monday, May 25.
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The JFK Construction Factor: Due to massive, ongoing redevelopment construction at JFK, travelers are strongly urged to use mass transit (Subway, AirTrain, Bus, or LIRR) or utilize the designated remote drop-off/pickup lots at the Lefferts Blvd or Howard Beach stations to avoid gridlocked terminal roads.
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AirTrain Newark Update: AirTrain Newark will remain fully operational to and from the Airport Train Station on Memorial Day to streamline transit connections.
⏰ Official Port Authority Arrival Guidelines:
Domestic Flights: Arrive at least two hours prior to departure.
International Flights: Arrive at least three hours prior to departure.
Pro-Tip: Check the newly redesigned Port Authority airport websites before leaving home to track real-time security wait times, parking availability, and flight statuses.
🚗 On the Roads: 3.5 Million Vehicles Expected (Construction Halted)
An estimated 3.5 million vehicles will cross Port Authority bridges and tunnels over the five-day weekend.
To prevent catastrophic traffic jams, the agency is suspending all non-emergency repairs and lane construction at all vehicular crossings during the peak getaway window:
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Construction Pause Starts: Friday, May 22, at 5:00 AM
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Construction Resumes: Tuesday, May 26, at 5:00 AM
Despite the construction freeze, drivers should still budget significant extra travel time for heavy congestion at major bottlenecks like the Lincoln Tunnel, Holland Tunnel, and GWB.
PATH Train Memorial Day Schedule
For those utilizing rapid transit between New York and New Jersey, note that PATH will operate on a Saturday schedule on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25. Plan your platform wait times accordingly, as trains will run less frequently than on a standard weekday.
Whenever possible, the absolute best defense against the holiday rush this weekend is opting for public transit. Stay patient, check your digital timetables early, and give yourself a wide time buffer to ensure a smooth holiday weekend!
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