Memorial Day means plenty of people on the roads in Connecticut on their way to enjoy the long holiday weekend.

AAA estimates that 39.4 million people will be traveling somewhere by car. That is 1 million more people than last Memorial Day.

According to transportation data provider INRIX, leaving earlier is usually the best bet to avoid traffic. Travelers may want to hit the road before 11 a.m. on Friday, noon on Saturday, 1 p.m. on Sunday and 2 p.m. on Monday.

The worst times are usually between lunch and dinner, with 12-8 p.m. Friday, 2-6 p.m. Saturday, 1-5 p.m. Sunday and 4-7 p.m. on Monday expected to have the most traffic.

News 12 spoke with drivers outside the I-95 rest area in Darien, who said they got the message and hit the road early. Most were happy to report that traffic so far had not been too bad.

AAA says the average gallon of gas in Connecticut is 70 cents cheaper now compared to Memorial Day 2024.

The state, meanwhile, says it will be increasing police patrols this weekend, specifically watching for impaired drivers.