Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
- Utah's Memorial Day travel may face 90-minute delays due to high traffic.
- Gas prices in Utah are $4.69, highest since 2022, affecting some travel plans.
- Salt Lake Airport expects 28,000 passengers Friday; fliers should arrive early.
SALT LAKE CITY — National and state transportation officials don't expect gas prices this Memorial Day weekend, which are the highest for the holiday in four years, to dissuade the unofficial start of summer travel.
Approximately 45 million Americans are expected to travel at least 50 miles between Thursday and Monday, with domestic travel projected to break a new holiday record, according to AAA projections. Over 85% of people will drive during that time.
"Despite higher fuel prices, the underlying desire to travel remains positive and strong as travelers are prioritizing leisure summer getaways," said Cyndi Zesk, senior vice president of travel for AAA Mountain West Group, in a statement.
These could lead to delays of 15 to 90 minutes on some routes at various times during the weekend, Utah Department of Transportation officials warn.
The biggest delays are expected in Spanish Fork Canyon, where a construction zone near Thistle Junction is expected to remain in place to protect the safety of the work zone.
Utah's biggest projected Memorial Day weekend delays
Friday
- Southbound I-15 (Spanish Fork to Nephi): Delays of up to 30 minutes between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m., with peak delays around 3 p.m.
- Eastbound U.S. 6 (Spanish Fork to Soldier Summit): Delays of up to 90 minutes between 10:30 a.m. and 10 p.m., with peak delays around 7 p.m.
- Northbound U.S. 89 (Logan to Bear Lake): Delays of up to 30 minutes between 1 p.m. and 9 p.m., with peak delays around 7 p.m.
- Eastbound U.S. 40 (Heber City to Duchesne): Delays of up to 15 minutes between 1 p.m. and 8 p.m., with peak delays around 2 and 6 p.m.
- Southbound US-6/US-191 (Spanish Fork to Moab): Delays of up to 90 minutes between 1 p.m. and 10 p.m., with peak delays around 5 p.m.
Monday
- Westbound U.S. 6 (Soldier Summit to Spanish Fork): Delays of up to 90 minutes between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m., with peak delays around 3 p.m.
- Northbound I-15 (Nephi to Spanish Fork): Delays of up to 40 minutes between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m., with peak delays around 3 p.m.
- Southbound U.S. 89 (Bear Lake to Logan): Delays of up to minutes between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., with peak delays between noon and 3 p.m.
- Westbound U.S. 40 (Duchesne to Heber City): Delays of up to 15 minutes between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m., with peak delays between 2 and 6 p.m.
- Northbound U.S. 191/U.S. 6 (Moab to Spanish Fork): Delays of up to 90 minutes between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m., with peak delays around 5 p.m.
A few other lane restrictions or traffic shifts may remain in other parts of the state, while UDOT says it will suspend construction and open all lanes to traffic across most of its existing projects to help reduce travel issues.
Utah's gas price index
Utah's average price for a gallon of regular gas rose to $4.69 on Thursday, according to AAA. That's $1.38 per gallon from the holiday weekend last year, and the highest for Memorial Day travel since 2022, the organization noted. It's still approximately 57 cents lower than the all-time peak set in July 2022.
Higher gasoline demand, mixed with the prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz since the Iran war began in late February, is likely to keep prices high at the start of the summer travel season, said Aldo Vazquez, a spokesman for AAA Mountain West Group.
Gas prices are generally lower across the Wasatch Front and northwest Utah, and they're higher in northeast and southwest Utah this weekend. Averages range from as low as $4.64 per gallon in Tooele County to as high as $4.97 in Piute County.
Where gas is the cheapest in Utah right now
- Tooele County: $4.64
- Box Elder County: $4.65
- Salt Lake County:4.65
- Wasatch County: $4.65
- Weber County: $4.66
Where gas is the most expensive in Utah right now
- Piute County: $4.97
- Daggett County: $4.92
- Beaver County: $4.92
- Wayne County: $4.86
- Rich County: $4.87
KSL spoke with several drivers on Thursday, who were split on their weekend plans. Taunie Braito said she plans to travel for the holiday and will likely cut back on streaming services and other expenses to offset higher travel costs. Many said they likely won't travel far this year, largely because of the higher prices.
"Gas is getting to be a little bit on the expensive side," said Mike Flinn.
Brian Carlson, KSLSalt Lake airport prepares for busy holiday weekend
Another 8% of Americans will fly during the holiday weekend, AAA added.
Salt Lake International Airport anticipates having 28,000 passengers pass through its front doors on Friday, similar to Thursday's projections. With similar numbers arriving at the airport for the week, Tuesday figures to be equally busy, according to Nancy Volmer, a spokeswoman for the airport. The numbers are slightly higher than what was reported in 2025.
Fliers are urged to arrive at least two hours before boarding their domestic flight and three hours before departure for an international flight. That should help them handle parking, luggage and security screening delays, she said.
Some recent road projects could add to those delays. Travelers should review UDOT's website for travel impacts near the airport, Volmer added.
Contributing: Brian Carlson, KSL
