AAA forecasts 45 million Memorial travelers

AAA said on May 11 that 45 million Americans are expected to travel at least 50 miles from home over the Memorial Day holiday period, a new record for the weekend. The forecast covers trips between Thursday, May 21, and Monday, May 25, according to the travel group. Road trips are expected to account for the biggest share of the movement, even with gasoline prices above year-earlier levels. INRIX, which provides traffic data for AAA’s forecast, said the heaviest congestion is likely on Thursday and Friday afternoons and again on Monday afternoon. ### How many people is AAA expecting on the move? AAA projected 45 million domestic travelers for the five-day holiday period, slightly above the 44.8 million it said traveled over Memorial Day in 2025. The group said that would set a new Memorial Day weekend record. AAA said 39.1 million people are expected to travel by car, making driving by far the dominant mode of transportation. (newsroom.aaa.com) Another 3.66 million are projected to fly domestically, which AAA said would also be a record for Memorial Day air travel. ### When will highways be most crowded? (newsroom.aaa.com) INRIX said Memorial Day weekend drivers should expect the heaviest congestion on Thursday and Friday between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m., with Monday afternoon also expected to be difficult on the return leg. The company said Sunday should be the lightest day for traffic, barring crashes, construction or weather disruptions. (newsroom.aaa.com) INRIX said drivers should aim for morning departures to avoid the worst delays. The company also published metro-specific peak congestion windows as traffic moves out of major urban areas before the long weekend. ### Why are road trips still leading despite higher gas prices? (newsroom.aaa.com) AAA said pump prices are higher than they were over Memorial Day weekend a year ago, when the national average for regular gasoline was $3.17 a gallon. The group said current prices are the highest since the summer of 2022. (inrix.com) Stacey Barber, vice president of AAA Travel, said in the organization’s release that Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer and gives many Americans a three-day weekend. Debbie Haas, vice president of travel for AAA – The Auto Club Group, said in a regional release that travel remained a priority for many Americans despite economic uncertainty and global challenges. (newsroom.aaa.com) ### What else is AAA flagging for travelers? AAA said it responded to more than 350,000 roadside assistance calls over Memorial Day weekend last year for problems including dead batteries, flat tires and empty fuel tanks. The group urged drivers to check batteries, tire pressure and fluids before leaving and repeated its “Slow Down, Move Over” safety message for vehicles stopped on the roadside. (southjersey.aaa.com) Hertz, identified by AAA as its car rental partner, said Thursday and Friday are expected to be the busiest pickup days for rental vehicles. AAA said its booking data showed domestic car rentals are 1% cheaper than a year earlier, and listed Orlando, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Denver and Boston as the top five rental markets. (newsroom.aaa.com) ### What should travelers watch next? Thursday, May 21, marks the start of AAA’s Memorial Day travel window, with Friday, May 22, expected to be one of the busiest departure days. Monday, May 25, is expected to bring another wave of heavy highway traffic in the afternoon as holiday travelers return home. (newsroom.aaa.com)