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, setting what the group called a record for the holiday weekend. The forecast covers trips between Thursday, May 21, and Monday, May 25, and is slightly above the 44.8 million travelers AAA said took Memorial Day trips in 2025. KTLA reported on May 22 that Los Angeles International Airport was bracing for crowds as the holiday weekend began. AAA said the forecast is based on its travel booking data and on economic forecasting and mobility data from S&P Global Market Intelligence. ### How big is the Memorial Day travel forecast this year? AAA said 45 million Americans are expected to travel for Memorial Day weekend in 2026. The group said that would make this year’s total the highest on record for the holiday period. The 2026 figure is up modestly from 44.8 million in 2025, according to AAA regional releases and its national travel forecast. The travel organization said Memorial Day remains one of the busiest U.S. holiday weekends because it marks the start of the summer travel season. ### How many people are expected to drive instead of fly? AAA said 39.1 million travelers are expected to go by car over the five-day holiday period. That means drivers account for the large majority of Memorial Day trips this year. AAA said 3.66 million people are expected to fly. (newsroom.aaa.com) The group also said other modes of transportation, including buses, trains and cruises, would account for the remaining travelers. ### Why did AAA say travel is still rising? AAA Vice President of Travel Stacey Barber said in the organization’s release that Memorial Day is the unofficial start of summer and gives many Americans a three-day weekend to travel. (southjersey.aaa.com) Barber said travelers are still planning getaways even with higher fuel prices. AAA said average ticket prices for flights are lower than last year, even as gasoline prices are higher than they were at Memorial Day in 2025. The group did not present the forecast as a survey of intent alone; it said the projection used booking data and outside economic and mobility inputs. (newsroom.aaa.com) ### Why were airports and highways expected to be crowded? KTLA reported on May 22 that airports and highways could be among the busiest of the year as holiday travelers began departing. The station said travelers should expect congestion and delays over the long weekend. (southjersey.aaa.com) NBC Los Angeles, citing AAA, also reported on May 11 that Memorial Day travel was expected to set records in 2026. That report said the holiday period would bring heavy traffic volumes as millions of Americans headed out for weekend trips. (ktla.com) ### What exactly counts in AAA’s holiday tally? AAA said its Memorial Day forecast counts people traveling at least 50 miles from home. The travel window runs for five days, beginning on the Thursday before Memorial Day and ending on Memorial Day itself, Monday, May 25. (nbclosangeles.com) S&P Global Market Intelligence supplies the economic forecasting and mobility data used in the projection, according to AAA. KTLA cited that forecast on May 22 in its report on LAX crowds as the holiday weekend got underway. ### What should travelers watch through the rest of the weekend? (newsroom.aaa.com) Friday, May 22, was already drawing crowds at Los Angeles International Airport, KTLA reported. The busiest stretch of the holiday travel period continues through Memorial Day on Monday, May 25, under AAA’s forecast window, with drivers, airlines and airports handling the heaviest volumes. (ktla.com) (newsroom.aaa.com)