1.3 million passengers expected at Bush and Hobby airports in Memorial Day weekend, officials say

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — The Houston Airport System (HAS) is advising passengers to prepare for a busy Memorial Day weekend at Bush Intercontinental and Hobby airports, with an expected 1.3 million travelers between Thursday and the Wednesday following Memorial Day.

As the summer travel season kicks off, airport officials recommend reserving parking at least 12 hours in advance. A check on Thursday showed some airport parking lots already nearing capacity.

Peak travel times are from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. During these hours, travelers should arrive at the airport at least three hours before their flights, particularly at Bush Airport due to ongoing construction.

AAA Texas reports that 3.1 million Texans are preparing to travel this holiday weekend. The statewide average gas price is $3.18 per gallon of regular unleaded fuel.

Most major construction closures will be paused during the holiday weekend to allow maximum road space for drivers. However, in the Houston area, some congestion is expected. On I-45, the busiest travel period on Friday is estimated to be between 12 p.m. and 7 p.m., and on I-10, between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday are projected to be the lightest travel days, with traffic increasing again on Monday afternoon.

An emergency closure will take place on US-290, just south of West 34th Street, where CenterPoint will shut down the main lanes and frontage road in both directions on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. to repair transmission lines damaged by this month’s wind storm. Drivers should seek alternate routes, such as Hempstead Highway, during this time.