AAA expects 45 million Memorial Day travelers

AAA said 45 million Americans are expected to travel at least 50 miles from home during the Memorial Day holiday period running from Thursday, May 21, through Monday, May 25. The forecast, published by AAA on May 11, would set a new Memorial Day weekend record and come in slightly above the 44.8 million travelers AAA estimated for the same holiday in 2025. More than 39 million of those travelers are expected to drive, keeping highways as the dominant part of the holiday picture. The forecast covers domestic leisure travel over the five-day holiday window, which AAA uses for its annual Memorial Day estimate. ### How big is AAA’s Memorial Day forecast this year? AAA put the total at 45 million travelers for the May 21-25 period. The group said that is slightly higher than last year’s 44.8 million and would mark a record for Memorial Day weekend travel. The travel organization defines the forecast as Americans going at least 50 miles from home. (newsroom.aaa.com) AAA said the period begins on Thursday, May 21, and ends on Monday, May 25. ### Why are roads still carrying most of the holiday traffic? AAA said 39.1 million people are expected to travel by car over the holiday weekend. (newsroom.aaa.com) That amounts to 87% of all Memorial Day travelers in the forecast, making driving by far the most common mode of travel. Stacey Barber, vice president of AAA Travel, 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) AAA also said drivers are paying more than they did over Memorial Day last year, when the national average for a gallon of regular gasoline was $3.17, and that pump prices are now the highest since the summer of 2022. ### What does AAA say about flying and other travel modes? AAA said 3.66 million travelers are expected to fly domestically over Memorial Day weekend. Air travelers account for 8% of the total holiday forecast, according to the group. AAA booking data showed roundtrip domestic flights were 6% cheaper than a year earlier, with an average ticket price of $800 for trips booked for the holiday. (newsroom.aaa.com) The group said most of those bookings were made before rising jet fuel prices began affecting airfares. AAA said another 2.2 million people are expected to travel by bus, train or cruise, up 5% from a year earlier. (newsroom.aaa.com) The organization said Alaska cruise season is one factor behind the increase in that category. ### What practical details did AAA flag for travelers? AAA said higher road volume is likely to coincide with more breakdown calls. (newsroom.aaa.com) The group said it responded to more than 350,000 emergency roadside assistance calls over Memorial Day weekend last year, including calls involving dead batteries, flat tires and empty fuel tanks. Hertz, identified by AAA as its car-rental partner, said Thursday and Friday were expected to be the busiest pickup days for holiday rentals. AAA said Orlando, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Denver and Boston were the top five rental markets by demand, while domestic car rentals were 1% cheaper than a year earlier. (newsroom.aaa.com) ### What should readers watch through the weekend? Monday, May 25, is the final day in AAA’s Memorial Day travel window. AAA urged drivers to slow down, move over for roadside responders, drive sober, and check battery condition, tire pressure and fluids before leaving. (newsroom.aaa.com)