Spring break is Georgia’s favorite time to travel: 3 things to know before you go

Spring break is here for many Georgia families — and with it comes the extra traffic from people going places they don’t normally go.

The weeklong reprieve from school is most popular time to travel for Georgians, according to data collected by AAA. It tops Memorial Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

The break for most metro Atlanta school systems is next Monday-Friday, though spring break for colleges or other schools can be any time in the end of March or beginning of April. Whether you’re traveling or staying in town, here are three things to know before you leave the house.

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Watch for busy roads

An estimated one-third of Georgians have plans to travel during spring break, with beaches being the most popular destinations, AAA found in a survey. Atlanta is also one of the top spring break destinations for travelers in the U.S., behind only Florida’s Orlando and Fort Lauderdale. And, road trips are one of the most popular type of trips being planned.

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All that together could mean trouble for the already busy roads in metro Atlanta.

Before you get anywhere near the Downtown Connector, check 511 Georgia. It’s the Department of Transportation’s source for real-time traffic and travel updates. It will tell you where there are crashes, construction and congestion all over the state.

Credit: Natrice Miller/AJC

Credit: Natrice Miller/AJC

Expect cheaper gas

Georgia drivers are paying less for gas this year than they did last year, according to data from AAA.

At an average of $3.05 per unleaded gallon Thursday, Georgia also bests the national average price. Gas in metro Atlanta is a little higher, at $3.10, but still better than the national average.

This same time a year ago, Georgia averaged $3.33 per gallon. But you can expect prices to keep creeping up. They tend to peak during the summer.

Get to the airport early

Officials at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport are bracing for one of the busiest travel days on record Friday.

For the rest of the month, know that Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays are the busiest days for leisure travel. Airport officials recommend arriving at the airport two-and-a-half hours ahead of domestic flights and three hours before international flights.

“The best traveler is a well-prepared traveler,” said Andrew Gobeil, the airport’s spokesperson. “It will be busy, but we’re working with our airline, TSA (the Transportation Security Administration) and concessions partners to provide an efficient, enjoyable experience.”

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