AAA forecasts 45 million Memorial Day 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 forecast that would set a record for the weekend. The group said its travel window runs from Thursday, May 21, through Monday, May 25. The projection is slightly above last year’s 44.8 million travelers, according to AAA. Stacey Barber, vice president of AAA Travel, said demand remained strong even with higher fuel prices. ### How big is the increase from last year? AAA said the 2026 forecast is slightly higher than 2025, when 44.8 million people traveled for the holiday. The association described this year’s total as a new Memorial Day weekend record. The count covers U.S. travelers going at least 50 miles from home. (newsroom.aaa.com) The 45 million total is rounded, but the direction is clear: AAA is projecting more holiday travelers than a year ago. Stacey Barber said in the release that “travel demand remains strong” and that many people are still prioritizing leisure trips during holiday breaks despite higher fuel prices. (newsroom.aaa.com) ### How many people are expected to drive? AAA said 39.1 million people are expected to travel by car over the five-day holiday period. That would make driving the dominant mode, accounting for 87% of Memorial Day travelers in the forecast. AAA also said road travel would set a record for the holiday period. (newsroom.aaa.com) Gas prices are higher than they were over Memorial Day weekend last year, AAA said. The group said the national average price for a gallon of regular gasoline was $3.17 on Memorial Day last year, and that current pump prices are the highest since the summer of 2022. AAA also said it handled more than 350,000 roadside assistance calls over last year’s Memorial Day weekend. (newsroom.aaa.com) ### What does AAA say about flights and other trips? AAA said 3.66 million travelers are expected to take domestic flights over Memorial Day weekend, representing 8% of holiday travelers. The group said that would be a small increase from last year and another record for the holiday period. (newsroom.aaa.com) AAA said its booking data showed round-trip domestic flights were 6% cheaper than a year earlier, with an average ticket price of $800. The group said those figures reflect what travelers paid when they booked, and that many trips were reserved before higher jet fuel prices began pushing up airfare. (newsroom.aaa.com) AAA said 2.2 million people are expected to travel by bus, train or cruise, up 5% from last year. The association said Alaska cruises remain popular and are helping lift that category during the holiday period. ### Where are travelers concentrating? Hertz told AAA that Thursday and Friday are expected to be the busiest pickup days for rental cars over the holiday weekend. (newsroom.aaa.com) AAA said the top five rental-car markets are Orlando, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Denver and Boston. The association also said domestic car rentals are 1% cheaper than they were a year ago, based on its booking data. (mwg.aaa.com) AAA’s booking data, cited in coverage from NBC stations, also pointed to Orlando, Seattle, New York, Las Vegas and Miami among leading domestic destinations for the holiday period. International and Caribbean demand in that coverage included Rome, Vancouver, Paris, London and Athens. (newsroom.aaa.com) ### When will roads be busiest? INRIX, the transportation-data company working with AAA, said drivers should expect the heaviest congestion on Thursday and Friday between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m., and again on Monday afternoon. AAA’s regional travel pages said morning departures are expected to be the better option for motorists trying to avoid the worst traffic. (nbcwashington.com) Thursday, May 21, and Friday, May 22, are also the busiest pickup days for rental cars, according to Hertz data cited by AAA. The holiday travel period in AAA’s forecast ends on Monday, May 25. (newsroom.aaa.com) (midstates.aaa.com)