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SALT LAKE CITY -- It may not feel like it outside, but Memorial Day is coming up. Travel experts say with the economy and less-than-warm weather, the roads should be packed.
It's the holiday nightmare: load up, fuel up, and then get fed up sitting in traffic.
"People are so antsy to get out," says Heather Barnum, spokeswoman for the I-15 CORE project in Utah County.
So, here's what to plan for:
- At least 6 hours from Salt Lake to St. George
- Nearly 6 hours from Salt Lake to Bryce Canyon
- More than 6 hours from Salt Lake to Zion National Park
If you're heading to the southeast corner of the state and taking U.S. Highway 6, expect typical holiday travel delays to places like Moab and Lake Powell -- there's a project on Skyline and Starvation Road.
"We encourage people to keep their travel plans even though we do have a lot of construction over Memorial Day weekend," Barnum says.
UDOT has partnered with the Utah Office of Tourism in a program that will encourage people to travel during off-peak times. Stay an Extra Day offers some hotel, restaurant and other travel spot discounts -- not to mention a chance to beat the traffic and squeeze in a little more vacation.
Another popular camping spot is up in the air right now. UDOT says it's unsure if the Mirror Lake Highway will be open in time for Memorial Day. It all depends on if the weather cooperates and if crews can get the snow cleared.
E-mail: sdallof@ksl.com
