AAA forecasts 45 million travelers

AAA said 45 million Americans are expected to travel at least 50 miles from home between Thursday, May 21, and Monday, May 25, for Memorial Day weekend, a forecast the motor club called the busiest on record. The projection is slightly above 2025’s 44.8 million travelers, according to AAA’s May 11 forecast. Memorial Day falls on Monday, May 25, in 2026, making the five-day travel window the unofficial start of the summer season for millions of U.S. travelers. AAA said the forecast covers trips by car, plane and other modes. ### How many people are expected to be on the roads? AAA said 39.1 million people are expected to travel by car over the holiday period, accounting for about 87% of all Memorial Day travelers. The group said that figure is up slightly from last year and keeps driving as the dominant mode of holiday travel despite higher fuel costs. (newsroom.aaa.com) INRIX, which provides traffic data for AAA’s holiday forecast, said drivers should expect the heaviest congestion on Thursday and Friday between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m., with another busy return window Monday afternoon. USA Today and Axios, citing INRIX data, said early morning or nighttime departures are expected to be less congested than late-afternoon travel. (midstates.aaa.com) ### What does AAA say about flying? AAA said 3.66 million travelers are expected to take domestic flights during the Memorial Day period, a small increase from last year. The group said air travel remains below its 2005 Memorial Day record, when 3.8 million people flew, but 2026 would still be one of the busiest holiday flying periods in nearly two decades. (midstates.aaa.com) AAA said average round-trip domestic airfare for Memorial Day weekend is about $800, based on what travelers paid when they booked. That is 6% cheaper than a year earlier, according to AAA data cited by multiple outlets, even as jet fuel prices have risen more recently. ### What about travelers using trains, buses or cruises? (midstates.aaa.com) AAA said 2.2 million people are expected to travel by other modes, including buses, trains and cruises, up 5% from last year. That category remains smaller than car and air travel, but AAA said it reflects continued demand for holiday trips across multiple transport options. (sfntoday.com) ### Are gas prices changing the outlook? AAA said drivers are paying more at the pump than they were over Memorial Day weekend last year, when the national average for regular gasoline was $3.17 a gallon. The group said current pump prices are the highest since the summer of 2022, though it did not say higher prices were reducing overall holiday demand. (sfntoday.com) Hertz, identified by AAA as its car rental partner, said Thursday and Friday are expected to be the busiest pickup days for rental cars. AAA said the top five rental markets for the weekend are Orlando, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Denver and Boston. ### What should travelers watch in the days ahead? Thursday, May 21, and Friday, May 22, are expected to be the busiest departure days on the roads, based on INRIX’s traffic outlook. (midstates.aaa.com) AAA said the holiday travel period runs through Monday, May 25, and travelers can track updated fuel prices and regional travel advisories through AAA’s travel and fuel reports as the weekend approaches.