AAA projects 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, from Thursday, May 21, through Monday, May 25. The forecast is slightly above last year’s level and would set a new record for the holiday weekend, according to the travel group. Road trips account for the largest share of that total, and Orlando ranks as the top domestic destination in AAA booking data. Florida Today and other Gannett outlets said the projection points to especially heavy traffic around Central Florida’s theme parks and highways. ### How many people does AAA expect to travel, and over what dates? AAA said 45 million people are projected to travel at least 50 miles from home between May 21 and May 25. The group said that compares with 44.8 million travelers in 2025 and is enough to set a new Memorial Day weekend record. (newsroom.aaa.com) The May 11 forecast covers domestic travel only. AAA has used the same 50-mile threshold in prior holiday forecasts, including its 2025 Memorial Day outlook. ### Why are the roads expected to be the busiest part of the weekend? AAA said 39.1 million travelers are expected to go by car, the highest Memorial Day driving volume on record. (newsroom.aaa.com) The group said that figure is up from 38.4 million last year, while air travel is projected at 3.66 million and travel by bus, train and cruise at 2.27 million. Stacey Barber, vice president of AAA Travel, said in the release that Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer and that many Americans use the three-day weekend for a getaway. AAA said higher gas prices have not kept drivers off the road, while some airfare booked in advance has been cheaper than a year earlier. (newsroom.aaa.com) ### Why does Orlando keep showing up in these forecasts? Orlando ranked first among domestic Memorial Day destinations in AAA booking data, according to AAA and follow-up local reports. Florida Today said the city’s theme parks and nearby cruise traffic are expected to add to congestion during the holiday stretch. (newsroom.aaa.com) Hertz, cited by AAA Mid States, said Orlando is also one of the top five markets for rental-car demand over the weekend. That combination of fly-in tourists, rental-car pickups and park traffic helps explain why Central Florida is expected to be one of the busiest areas in the state. ### When are the worst traffic windows expected to hit? (floridatoday.com) INRIX said the heaviest congestion is expected on Thursday and Friday between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m., with Monday afternoon also likely to be crowded as travelers return home. AAA’s regional and partner materials pointed drivers to earlier departures to avoid the worst backups. (midstates.aaa.com) USA Today and Axios, citing INRIX data tied to the AAA forecast, reported that departure timing will matter most in large metro areas where holiday traffic stacks on top of commuter patterns. Florida outlets said that risk is likely to be most visible on routes serving Orlando’s attractions and coast-to-interior corridors. (midstates.aaa.com) ### What does the forecast say about prices and demand? AAA said gas prices are running higher than they were a year ago, even as driving demand reaches a record for the holiday. At the same time, the group said some travelers who booked flights early found lower average ticket prices than last Memorial Day. (usatoday.com) AAA Mid States said domestic car rentals are about 1% cheaper than a year ago for the holiday weekend. Hertz said Thursday and Friday are expected to be the busiest rental pickup days. ### Where should travelers look next? The Memorial Day travel window begins on Thursday, May 21, and runs through Monday, May 25, under AAA’s forecast. (inrix.com) INRIX timing guidance and Florida’s 511 traffic service are the main public sources for road conditions as the weekend approaches, while AAA’s newsroom post remains the primary source for the national forecast and destination rankings. (newsroom.aaa.com) (midstates.aaa.com)