AAA anticipates a record 45.1 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home during the Memorial Day holiday period, spanning from May 22 to May 26. This marks an increase of 1.4 million travelers compared to last year and surpasses the previous record set in 2005 with 44 million travelers. Despite rising prices, many are using the long weekend to spend time with loved ones.
Stacey Barber, Vice President of AAA Travel, commented, "Memorial Day weekend getaways don’t have to be extravagant and costly." She noted that while some opt for extensive vacations, many families choose road trips or nearby destinations due to the extra day off work and school.
Travel by car remains dominant with AAA projecting 39.4 million people opting for this mode of transportation. This figure represents an additional one million drivers compared to last year. Cheaper gas prices are benefiting drivers this season, though demand is expected to cause a rise in pump prices as summer begins.
Hertz, AAA's car rental partner, expects Friday, May 23 to be its busiest pickup day with high demand in cities like Orlando and Seattle—both top destinations on AAA’s list.
Air travel sees a modest increase with projections indicating 3.61 million air passengers—a nearly 2% rise over last year’s figures. Although not setting a new record (set in 2005), this year's numbers exceed pre-pandemic levels by about 12%. Popular flight destinations include Chicago and New York.
Travel by train, bus, or cruise is also experiencing growth post-pandemic with an estimated 2.08 million travelers—an increase of over eight percent from last year. The popularity of cruises continues to grow significantly.
AAA offers several tips for saving money during travels including checking current gas prices via their fuel site and considering alternative routes for cheaper gas stations. For flights, flexibility can lead to savings; departing on less popular days may reduce costs.
Hotel bookings should be made early according to AAA advice; staying slightly outside tourist areas can save money without sacrificing convenience if near public transit options.
Traffic congestion is anticipated during afternoon hours over the holiday weekend according to INRIX data which advises traveling in morning hours when possible.
Orlando tops domestic destination lists thanks partly due its theme parks while Rome leads internationally driven by continued interest in European cities as travel rebounds globally.