The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey issued an extensive travel advisory ahead of the Memorial Day holiday weekend, projecting that approximately 5.6 million people will surge through the region’s airports and highway crossings over the five-day peak travel period.
The agency anticipates a record-breaking 2.1 million passengers will fly through John F. Kennedy International, Newark Liberty International, LaGuardia, and New York-Stewart International airports between May 21 and May 25—a 1% bump over 2025’s historic highs. On the ground, traffic is expected to mirror last year, with an estimated 3.5 million vehicles utilizing the agency’s bridges and tunnels.
To help travelers navigate the immense holiday volume, the Port Authority has outlined an operational blueprint across its transit networks.
Recognizing the massive gridlock potential, the Port Authority will suspend all non-emergency repairs and roadway construction projects at its major vehicular crossings.
The suspension will go into effect at 5 a.m. on May 22 and remain active until 5 a.m. on May 26. While this will free up lane capacity at bottlenecks like the George Washington Bridge and Lincoln Tunnel, motorists are still urged to anticipate holiday delays.
Regional Transit Schedules for Memorial Day (Monday, May 25)
| Transit Service | Holiday Schedule | Key Operational Changes |
| PATH Trains | Saturday Schedule | 9 St. and 23 St. stations will remain open overnight during the holiday weekend. |
| AirTrain Newark | Normal Weekday Schedule | Regular weekday service suspensions are lifted for the holiday; running continuously to/from the Airport Train Station. |
| LaGuardia Link Q70 | Continuous | Operating completely fare-free year-round to encourage public bus transit. |
Strict Warnings and Rules for Air Travelers
Airport officials are strongly encouraging passengers to take public transit, such as the MTA subway or Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) to the AirTrain networks.
Those who must drive face strict parking controls. Due to surging demand, travelers parking for longer than three hours are required to pre-book a parking space online at least 24 hours in advance. Motorists who drive up without a reservation will be hit with a peak-period surcharge and run the risk of finding all lots full.
Additionally, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is reminding travelers that state-issued identifications that are not REAL ID compliant will no longer be accepted at security checkpoints. Travelers lacking a compliant ID or passport may opt to use the TSA’s new “ConfirmID” identity verification process at the checkpoint. This alternative process costs $45 and takes an average of 10 to 15 minutes, though officials warn it can take 30 minutes or longer.
Domestic travelers are advised to arrive at least two hours before departure, while international flyers should anchor a buffer of at least three hours.
