BEND, OR -- Holiday weekend traffic congestion begins Thursday afternoon. AAA-Oregon predicts overall travel will be the second busiest ever, for a Memorial Day Weekend. But our roads? They may be the most crowded we’ve ever seen for this holiday period. "We are looking at car travel that is going to set a record," says AAA's Marie Dodds, "So, you’re looking at very busy roads pretty much most of the day Thursday and Friday. But the busiest, most congested time will be between about noon and six."

Almost 44 million Americans plan to get out of town. Of those, 38.4 million are expected to drive to their Memorial Day weekend destination. 

Dodds tells KBND News it’ll be especially busy in areas expecting the most visitors, like Central Oregon, Portland, Eugene, Medford, Baker City and the coast. "Part of that is, especially in urban areas, travelers will be mixing with commuters during that period of time. So, if you can avoid those times - leave early in the morning on Thursday or Friday, or later in the evening after six or seven, even eight o’clock," says Dodds. 

Saturday may be the only reprive from crowded roads, "Monday and Tuesday are actually the busiest ‘coming home’ days," says Dodds, "But we also find that Sunday afternoon is also a busy ‘coming home’ day. And, the times there- if you can avoid traveling on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday between about three and seven p.m. on those days, that will help you avoid the most congested periods."

Airports will also be busy, and travelers are urged to plan for long security lines. 

While all those tourists may try our patience, Dodds says this is likely just the start, "Usually, a strong Memorial Day travel period will signal that it’s going to be strong all summer long. And this year, on Memorial Day, we’re looking at the second highest volume on record, only behind the year 2005."