AAA forecasts 45 million travelers

AAA said it expects 45 million Americans to travel at least 50 miles from home over the Memorial Day holiday period, setting what the group called a record for the weekend. The forecast covers Thursday, May 21, through Monday, May 25, and points to another car-heavy holiday despite higher fuel prices. ABC News, citing AAA and airlines, reported that more than 39 million people are expected to drive and that carriers are bracing for one of the busiest stretches of the early summer travel season. Weather forecasts carried by ABC also warned that rain and thunderstorms could complicate trips across parts of the country through the weekend. ### How big is the Memorial Day travel forecast this year? AAA said on May 11 that 45 million Americans are expected to travel at least 50 miles from home during the five-day holiday window. The group said that is slightly above last year's 44.8 million and would set a new Memorial Day weekend record. (newsroom.aaa.com) The largest share of those travelers will be on the roads. AAA said 39.1 million people are expected to travel by car, while 3.66 million are forecast to fly. ### Why are so many people still driving if gas prices are higher? AAA said fuel prices are higher than they were over Memorial Day weekend last year, but that has not stopped travelers from choosing cars for short holiday trips. (newsroom.aaa.com) Stacey Barber, vice president of AAA Travel, said in the group's release that Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer and gives many Americans a three-day weekend to take a trip. ABC News reported that driving remains the dominant mode even with elevated prices at the pump. The outlet said the combination of holiday demand and the flexibility of car travel is keeping road volumes high. ### Which days look busiest on the roads and in the air? American Airlines said Friday, May 22, is expected to be its busiest travel day of the holiday weekend. (newsroom.aaa.com) Delta Air Lines, according to ABC News, expects Thursday to be its most crowded day and said it is operating more than 25,600 flights between Thursday and Monday, May 25. (abcnews.com) INRIX, cited by ABC News, said drivers leaving on Friday, May 22, should aim to be on the road before 11 a.m. Traffic is expected to be heaviest from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. that day. ### What kind of weather could disrupt holiday plans? ABC News said much of the United States will not see ideal beach weather during the holiday stretch. (abcnews.com) Its forecast called for widespread showers and thunderstorms across parts of the South, while the Northeast was expected to be mostly cloudy on Friday with temperatures running 5 to 10 degrees below average for late May. (digital.abcaudio.com) The same ABC forecast said unsettled conditions would extend through the weekend in several regions. That raises the prospect of slower highway travel, airport delays and interruptions to outdoor events, depending on location. ### What should travelers watch next? Thursday, May 21, marks the start of AAA's five-day Memorial Day travel period, and Friday, May 22, is expected to be one of the heaviest travel days on both roads and at airports. (abcnews.com) Travelers can track updated airline schedules, local forecasts and AAA traffic guidance through Monday, May 25, as the holiday weekend unfolds. (newsroom.aaa.com)