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 Memorial Day weekend, setting a record for the holiday period. The forecast covers trips between Thursday, May 21, and Monday, May 25. The travel group said the total is slightly above the 44.8 million people who traveled over the holiday in 2025. Higher fuel prices have not stopped demand, AAA said, though it also warned that drivers are paying more at the pump than a year ago. (inrix.com) ### How big is the increase this year? (inrix.com) AAA said the 2026 forecast is slightly higher than last year’s 44.8 million Memorial Day travelers. The group described this year’s projection as a new Memorial Day weekend record. Stacey Barber, vice president of AAA Travel, said in the organization’s release that Memorial Day is the unofficial start of summer and that “travel demand remains strong.” Barber said many people are still prioritizing leisure travel during holiday breaks despite higher fuel prices. (inrix.com) ### How many people are expected to drive? AAA projects 39.1 million people will travel by car over the holiday weekend. That means driving accounts for 87% of Memorial Day travelers, making it by far the dominant mode of travel. (inrix.com) AAA said motorists are facing higher gas prices than they did last Memorial Day, when the national average for regular gasoline was $3.17 a gallon. The group said pump prices are now the highest they have been since the summer of 2022. (inrix.com) Last Memorial Day weekend, AAA said it responded to more than 350,000 roadside assistance calls involving dead batteries, flat tires and empty fuel tanks. The group urged drivers to check battery condition, tire pressure and fluids before leaving. (inrix.com) ### What about flights and other travel? AAA said 3.66 million travelers are expected to take domestic flights over Memorial Day weekend. Air travelers make up about 8% of the holiday total, according to the group. (inrix.com) AAA said round-trip domestic flights booked for the holiday were 6% cheaper than a year earlier, with an average ticket price of $800. The group said those bookings were made before rising jet fuel prices began pushing up airfare. (inrix.com) Another 2.2 million people are expected to travel by bus, train or cruise, up 5% from last year, AAA said. The organization said Alaska cruises are a major driver of growth in that category as the season begins. (inrix.com) ### Where is the pressure likely to show up? Hertz told AAA that Thursday and Friday were expected to be the busiest rental-car pickup days of the holiday stretch. The top five rental markets were Orlando, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Denver and Boston, according to AAA’s release. (inrix.com) AAA said record road traffic and elevated airport volumes mean travelers should expect heavy demand across the five-day period. The organization’s forecast and booking data were published ahead of the holiday rush, with the travel window ending Monday, May 25. (inrix.com)