Wisconsinites Heading Out for Spring Break Will See Higher Gas Prices and Long TSA Lines

Tuesday, March 24th, 2026 -- 1:01 PM

(Hope Kirwan, Wisconsin Public Radio) This year’s spring break travel season comes amid rising gas prices and long security lines at major U.S. airports.

But, according to Hope Kirwan with Wisconsin Public Radio, travel experts say a little planning can make travel smoother for most Wisconsinites. An annual consumer survey by AAA found 23 percent of Wisconsin respondents said they planned to travel for spring break.

Of those planning to travel, 37 percent reported plans for a road trip and 35 percent were making plans to visit a beach destination, according to the report. The survey was taken before the U.S. and Israel first bombed Iran at the end of February, launching a war that has raised gas prices across the country.

AAA’s online tracker shows Wisconsin fuel prices averaged at $3.63 on Friday, more than $1 higher than a month ago. The national average was at $3.91, nearly 98 cents higher than last month.

Molly Hart, AAA spokesperson, said that may change travel plans for some Wisconsin residents. “Instead of going five hours away, they might be cutting that shorter to maybe three hours away, or even doing a staycation,” Hart said.

Higher oil and gas prices are also expected to drive up the cost of airfare in the coming weeks. Hart said it’s hard to predict when prices could come back down due to the uncertain nature of the ongoing war.

Those who have already booked flights for spring trips could see more congestion than usual at some airports thanks to a partial government shutdown that has left the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and its Transportation Security Administration unfunded since Feb. 14.

Hours-long wait times to get through security screenings have been reported at some major airports during the last two weeks due to large numbers of TSA agents calling out sick.

A press release from the department on Tuesday reported that callout rates exceeded 30 percent in New Orleans and Atlanta, and reached over 50 percent in Houston at the start of the week.

Hart said the staffing issues appear to be affecting certain airports rather than causing a nationwide shortage. At Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport, security wait times have remained normal, according to director of public affairs Harold Mester.

“We are getting more questions from the public (about wait times), and we’re just reminding everybody that as of today, we’re not seeing anything out of the ordinary,” Mester said on Friday, adding that the situation could change.

He said TSA tracks and reports wait times, not the airport. But the agency’s MyTSA app, which provides wait time information, is not being actively managed during the lapse in federal funding, according to a notice on the DHS website.

Both Mester and Hart recommended travelers get to the airport at least two hours before their flight and reserve their parking ahead of time to cut down on potential delays. Hart said people can also make their travel day smoother by being smart with their carry-on bags.

“Make sure it’s organized, so when you’re going through that TSA line, you can unpack what you need to,” she said. “It’s just going to let the line go a little bit more smoothly.”

For Wisconsinites hitting the road, Hart said travelers can ease the pain of higher gas prices by cutting down on other costs along the way. She suggests cutting down on snack purchases by bringing food from home, and looking for free things to do, like enjoying a local park or lake.

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.