Real Estate Blog - Friday Before Memorial Day Was Unusually Quiet on the Freeway Heading North

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Friday Before Memorial Day Was Unusually Quiet on the Freeway Heading North

The effects of the recent sharp rise in gasoline prices were readily apparent yesterday.

On Interstate 35 headed north out of the Twin Cities, traffic was unusually light for the kickoff of Memorial Day weekend. Other than a fair amount of late afternoon congestion close to I-694 in the Lino Lakes area, it was obvious that at least some are staying home this weekend.

On past Memorial Day weekends, traffic has been much more congested heading towards Duluth and the Boundary Waters area. This year, things were eerily different.

Perhaps it has something to do with the late start of spring across the state. Cool weather, spring storms and a late ice-out on Minnesota lakes could be contributing factors.

We'll be watching carefully as summer unfolds to see if this situation improves.

Posted by Eric Kodner, Lake Minnetonka Homes & Madeline Island Real Estate on 05/25/2008 12:11 AM

Comments (13)

twin cities, duluth, minnesota, interstate 35, boundary waters

Post is included in group: Minnesota's Nice :)

13 Comments on Friday Before Memorial Day Was Unusually Quiet on the Freeway Heading North

WOW! It was CRAZY around here. Couldn't drive two inches. As luck would have it, I had to be on the road a lot on Friday - to a lot of different places. Oh brother - I burned waaaay more gas than I wanted idling.

05/25/2008 01:00 AM

by Ruthmarie Hicks (Keller Williams Realty)

The only way to tell for sure here in Hawaii if there is the usual count going on the long weekend is to visit the airport.

05/25/2008 01:22 AM

by Randy L. Prothero - Hawaii REALTOR® (Century 21 Liberty Homes)

It was much better in Southern California than usual. I had a record day on Friday traveling to 5 homes to sign loan docs. I was early to every appointment because traffic was so good. I expected the freeways to be a parking lot with everybody trying to get out of town for the holiday.

05/25/2008 01:30 AM

by Dennis Beckner (Beckner Mobile Notary)

Ruthmarie -- I've heard varying reports from people about how much gasoline prices are hampering vacation travel this Memorial Day weekend. Sounds like your area was pretty much unaffected.

05/25/2008 01:39 AM

by Wayzata Lakes Realty: Eric Kodner Sells Luxury Homes

Randy -- I can imagine it would be more difficult to determine on an island!

Dennis -- Do you think high gas prices are keeping people closer to home in Southern California this Memorial Day weekend?

05/25/2008 01:41 AM

by Wayzata Lakes Realty: Eric Kodner Sells Luxury Homes

When we took a road trip last week we were saying the same thing... we are in for some interesting times in this country.

05/25/2008 07:26 AM

by Charles McDonald / Your Trusted Broker for Charlottesville Real Estate (RE/MAX Assured Property)

Charles -- Amen!

It's going to take time for Americans to acclimate to these high gas prices..that is, if they ever stop rising long enough to do so!

05/25/2008 01:51 PM

by Madeline Island Realty - Eric Kodner Sells Madeline Island

Eric...people around here were doing yardwork from what I could see!

05/25/2008 09:23 PM

by Joan Mirantz- Concord New Hampshire Realtor (Keeler Family Realtors)

Hi Eric,

It seemed very quiet on the expressway early this afternoon. Very unusual for the last day of a holiday weekend!

05/26/2008 04:27 PM

by April Hayden-Munson Realtor, Southeastern Wisconsin (RE/MAX Realty 100)

Joan -- I haven't yet seen any definitive statistics or metrics about what Americans did for Memorial Day weekend or whether they stayed home more than last year.

05/27/2008 11:51 PM

by Madeline Island Realty - Eric Kodner Sells Madeline Island

April, that was my impression on the highway traffic Friday, which is usually a very busy day on the roads here.

05/27/2008 11:52 PM

by Madeline Island Realty - Eric Kodner Sells Madeline Island

I've been on I 35 heading North on a Memorial Day weekend. It's one of the reasons we go South to Waterville on weekends. I guess this year it would not have mattered.

Gas prices have changed Vacations to Staycations. I think that translates to yardwork and "Honey Do" lists.

05/28/2008 08:09 PM

by Pam Holzem (Keystone Real Estate on Main)

Pam,

I-35 wasn't bad last Friday afternoon. I was surprised to see the traffic that subdued on a Friday before Memorial Day.

05/28/2008 10:47 PM

by Wayzata Lakes Realty: Eric Kodner Sells Luxury Homes

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