As hundreds of thousands of Washington area residents are expected to begin pouring out of town today for the holiday weekend, transportation officials are warning drivers to remain cautious on secondary roads after this week’s record-setting rains.

Maryland and Virginia highway officials say all major highways are open, but dozens of local roads remain closed due to high water or damage caused by floodwaters.

David Buck, spokesman for the Maryland Highway Administration, said all highways to the Eastern Shore are completely open, but added that drivers getting to their cottage or hotel should use caution and common sense.

“The more you get off the beaten path you need to be careful especially in low-lying or flood prone areas,” Buck said.

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More than 629,000 area residents are expected to travel at least 50 miles from their home this weekend — a 1.6 percent increase over last year, said AAA Mid-Atlantic spokesman John Townsend. Higher costs at airline ticket counters and higher prices at the pumps aren’t having an impact for what has become the “biggest travel holiday of the year,” he said.

“The unrelenting rains that have pounded our region since the weekend are finally moving out of the region, and Washingtonians are breathing a sigh of relief,” Townsend said. “And although gas now costs nearly 80 cents more than it did at this time last year, ten thousand more people in our region will be hitting the roads.”

An estimated 53,000 people are flying to their holiday destinations this weekend — a 0.4 percent increase over last year, officials said.

Transportation officials warn that numerous rivers across the mid-Atlantic states are expected to crest well above flood stage beginning today.

Area authorities and meteorologists are advising residents across the region to be aware of any impending dangerous situations.

“Before heading out to barbecues, picnics and family gatherings, please keep a watch on road conditions and closures,” Townsend said. “Roads can quickly turn into rapids and streets can transmute into torrents. It merely takes six inches of moving water to sweep someone off his or her feet.”

By the numbers

» Gas prices in the District have been topped $3 per gallon for 70 days in a row.

» The average price of gasoline in the greater Washington region is $2.98 per gallon.

» An estimated 40.7 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home this holiday, according to AAA.

mrupert@dcexaminer.com