AAA predicts 45 million Memorial Day travelers
- AAA predicted about 45 million Americans would travel for Memorial Day, the group said as holiday enforcement and safety campaigns intensified nationwide. - The National Safety Council estimated 393 road deaths over the holiday period; officials urged seat-belt use and stricter distracted-driving penalties in statements. - Georgia's Memorial Day traffic deaths rose to six by May 24, according to Now Georgia. (nowgeorgia.com)
1/ AAA forecasts 45 million Americans traveling for Memorial Day weekend, up from prior years amid intensified safety campaigns. The estimate covers drivers, flyers, and other modes from Thursday to Monday, AAA said in its May 22 projection. 2/ That 45 million figure marks a 2.6% increase over 2025, with 38.5 million taking to roads alone—32.9 million by car. AAA Northeast economist Jonathan White called it "the busiest start to summer since 2000" due to steady gas prices and strong job market. 3/ Roads dominate: 89% of travelers, or about 40 million, driving 50+ miles. Air travel hits 3.61 million, a record for the holiday, per Airlines for America. Buses, trains, and cruises fill out the rest. 4/ Safety warnings match the surge. National Safety Council projects 393 road fatalities over the period, based on historical crash data adjusted for travel volume. 5/ Enforcement ramps up nationwide. California Highway Patrol Commissioner Sean Duryee highlighted seat belts in San Diego's campaign: "Wearing a seat belt remains one of the simplest and most effective ways to save lives". 6/ Distracted driving in crosshairs. New York Sen. Joseph Griffo introduced a bill May 24 for stiffer penalties, tying it to the "100 Deadliest Days of Summer" from Memorial Day to Labor Day, when teen crash rates spike. 7/ Indiana State Police join via "Click It or Ticket," targeting seat belts, speed, and impairment through the holiday. Alcohol is blamed for one-third of crashes, per Mothers Against Drunk Driving (; ). 8/ Georgia saw deaths climb to six by May 24, all in separate crashes since the holiday period began Friday. Now Georgia tracked the toll as travel continued into Monday. 9/ Airports strained too. Chicago O'Hare logged 500+ delays Sunday; Houston IAH had 570 delays and 17 cancellations; LaGuardia 123 delays and 7 cancellations—all tied to Memorial Day volume (;; ). 10/ States like Alabama launched "101 Days of Summer Safety" alongside the weekend, urging shared responsibility. South Carolina troopers up patrols for the deadliest stretch (; ). 11/ AAA tips: Plan routes, pack cars fully, avoid peak 4-7 p.m. Friday. Enforcement focuses slow-down/move-over laws for roadside workers too. Travel period ends Monday, May 26.
