AAA forecasts 45 million travelers

AAA projects 45 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home over the Memorial Day holiday period from Thursday, May 21, through Monday, May 25, according to a May 11 forecast from the travel group. The total is slightly above the 44.8 million travelers AAA said took trips over Memorial Day weekend in 2025. AAA said the 2026 figure would set a new record for the holiday travel period. ### How many of those travelers are expected to drive? AAA said 39.1 million people are expected to travel by car over the five-day holiday window. That would make driving by far the dominant mode of travel again, even with gasoline prices running above year-ago levels, according to AAA and regional AAA affiliates. (newsroom.aaa.com) The holiday period in AAA’s forecast runs from Thursday, May 21, to Monday, May 25, and counts trips of at least 50 miles from home. That definition is consistent with the group’s annual Memorial Day travel outlook and is one reason the headline figure is larger than a simple count of airline passengers or hotel guests. (newsroom.aaa.com) ### What does AAA expect for flights? AAA said 3.66 million travelers are expected to fly domestically during the Memorial Day period. The group’s forecast also said average ticket prices for flights are lower than last year, even as road-trip costs are pressured by higher fuel prices. AOL, citing AAA figures, reported that the average round-trip domestic airfare for the holiday is about $800. (newsroom.aaa.com) That helps explain why air travel, while far smaller than auto travel, still represents a major share of long-weekend demand. ### When are the worst times to be on the road? INRIX traffic forecasts cited by AAA point to Thursday and Friday afternoons as the most congested departure windows. (newsroom.aaa.com) AAA and INRIX said the worst times to drive are expected to be from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, with another heavy period on Monday afternoon as travelers return home. (aol.com) Travel guidance published by outlets citing the AAA-INRIX forecast said Sunday should be the lightest day for traffic, barring crashes, weather disruptions or construction. Some localized route forecasts show broader congestion windows than the national summary, especially around major metro areas. ### Why is Memorial Day traffic expected to be so heavy this year? (creators.yahoo.com) AAA said the 2026 forecast is slightly higher than last year’s level and would surpass previous Memorial Day records. The group has tied the increase to continued demand for holiday getaways at the start of the summer travel season. (camperreport.com) Regional AAA officials have also said many travelers are still opting for shorter domestic trips rather than more elaborate vacations. In Ohio and surrounding states, AAA East Central spokesperson Jim Garrity said most Americans would still drive over the three-day weekend despite higher gas prices. (newsroom.aaa.com) ### What should travelers watch over the holiday weekend? Fox Weather reported that Memorial Day itself could bring rain along a broad stretch from the Southwest into New England, while the Northern Plains and much of the West may see better conditions. Weather, not just volume, could shape actual travel delays over the weekend. (theintelligencer.net) Thursday, May 21, marks the start of AAA’s Memorial Day travel period, and Monday, May 25, is the main return day in the group’s forecast. Travelers looking for route-specific congestion can find metro-area projections in AAA’s traffic guidance developed with INRIX. (newsroom.aaa.com)