Memorial Day travel is already underway for those that could sneak out of work a day early. And with gas prices as low as they've been this time of year in over a decade roads leading to lake country are going to be busy.
AAA estimates that about 38 million Americans are hitting the road this weekend. That's the largest number of Memorial Day travelers since 2005. And for those heading through Sturgeon Bay to Door County, traffic should be expected.
Some are already getting a jump on the long weekend, making their way through Door County a day early. Kent Wickmann of Sturgeon Bay has noticed them plugging up the roadways downtown.
"There's been a lot of traffic in town that's for sure," says Wickmann.
And with the Bayview Bridge in Sturgeon Bay closed for construction, there are not a lot of options to get through town.
"No there isn't. You're gonna have to go through it one way or the other," adds Wickmann.
"The thing that is really cool about the detour is there are those back roads where you can take and see some of the cherry and apple blossoms which are still on the trees and so beautiful," adds Pam Seiler the Executive Director of the Sturgeon Bay Visitors Center.
But before you get into the sightseeing you’ll have to make your way through the traffic.
"We're not used to this kind of traffic," says Lt. Clint Henry of the Sturgeon Bay Police Department.
You'll have to manage your way through the backups, stop signs, lights, and of course all of the tourists looking to cross the street in downtown Sturgeon Bay
"We're just asking for you to be patient.... We're also gonna have officers on the intersections directing traffic. Just follow their direction they're gonna get you through town as fast as we can," adds Lt. Henry.
And while most are in a hurry to start the weekend all ready, keep in mind where you are or at least where you’re traveling through.
"That's what Door County is all about, taking it slow and taking it easy," adds Seiler.
Because while it will be bad out there on Friday and probably on Monday as well, before you know it July will arrive and the Bayview Bridge project will be completed and we'll have to blame something else for the traffic.
The biggest backups in Sturgeon Bay should be on Friday from about 3pm till 8 pm and then again on Monday from 11am to 5pm. If you can avoid Sturgeon Bay around those times that's your best bet of avoiding the traffic
