RDU Airport expects busiest Memorial Day weekend travel of all time

If you have a flight from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to travel for Memorial Day, you’ll want to arrive early.

RDU says it’s expecting its busiest Memorial Day weekend ever.

Long lines were already growing as of 6 a.m. on Thursday, the day which traditionally kicks off Memorial Day travel for millions of people around the country.

The FAA predicts nearly 54,000 flights will take off across the country on Thursday alone, and they will likely screen 18 million people between now and next Wednesday — a 6% increase compared with last year.

The TSA says May has been a hot travel month, with four of its all-time busiest travel days taking place this past month.

What if you’re driving for Memorial Day?

Taking a road trip instead of flying for Memorial Day?

Gas price averages from AAA show $3.61 nationwide.

That’s down more than 6 cents from a month ago.

In North Carolina — the average cost is $3.36.

That’s holding steady with prices from last month.

In Raleigh, the average is down 1 cent, sitting at $3.43.