AAA projects 45 million Memorial Day travelers

AAA said on May 11 that 45 million Americans are expected to travel at least 50 miles from home for Memorial Day between Thursday, May 21, and Monday, May 25. The motor club said that would edge past 2025’s 44.8 million travelers and set a new holiday record. (newsroom.aaa.com) Most of those trips are expected to happen by car, even with gas prices running above last Memorial Day’s level. AAA said the five-day forecast covers domestic trips tied to the holiday weekend. ### How big is the travel surge AAA is projecting? AAA’s headline number is 45 million travelers, up slightly from 44.8 million a year earlier. (midstates.aaa.com) The group said that would make 2026 the busiest Memorial Day travel period in its forecast series for the holiday. Stacey Barber, vice president of AAA Travel, said in the release that Memorial Day is the unofficial start of summer for many Americans and that demand for leisure trips remains strong despite higher fuel prices. AAA tied the increase to continued consumer willingness to travel during holiday breaks. (newsroom.aaa.com) ### How many people are expected to drive, fly or use other transportation? AAA said 39.1 million people are expected to travel by car over the holiday period. That represents 87% of all projected Memorial Day travelers, keeping driving by far the dominant mode. (newsroom.aaa.com) Air travel is expected to account for 3.66 million trips, or about 8% of the total, according to AAA. The group also projected 2.2 million travelers will go by bus, train or cruise, a 5% increase from last year. AAA said Alaska cruise season is one factor lifting the “other modes” category. (newsroom.aaa.com) ### Why are so many people still expected to drive if fuel is higher? Gasoline prices are higher than they were on Memorial Day 2025, when the national average for regular was $3.17 a gallon, AAA said. The group said current pump prices are the highest they have been since the summer of 2022. (newsroom.aaa.com) Even so, AAA said road trips remain the most popular option because driving offers flexibility and still captures the overwhelming majority of holiday travel. Barber said travelers are continuing to prioritize leisure trips during holiday breaks despite the higher fuel bill. (newsroom.aaa.com) ### What does AAA say about flights and rentals? AAA booking data showed roundtrip domestic flights were 6% cheaper than a year earlier for travelers who booked early, with an average ticket price of $800. The group said many of those bookings were made before rising jet fuel prices began feeding into airfares. (newsroom.aaa.com) Hertz, identified by AAA as its car rental partner, said Thursday and Friday are expected to be the busiest pickup days for Memorial Day renters. AAA said domestic car rentals are 1% cheaper than last year, based on its booking data, and that the highest rental demand is in Orlando, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Denver and Boston. (newsroom.aaa.com) ### When will roads be most crowded? INRIX, which provided traffic analysis cited by AAA, said drivers should expect the heaviest congestion on Thursday and Friday between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m., along with Monday afternoon. AAA Mid States said Sunday should be the lightest traffic day, barring crashes, weather or other disruptions. (newsroom.aaa.com) Last Memorial Day weekend, AAA said it handled 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 fluid levels before leaving and to watch weather forecasts as the May 21-25 travel window approaches. (newsroom.aaa.com) ### What should travelers watch next week? Thursday, May 21, is the first day in AAA’s five-day Memorial Day travel window, and Monday, May 25, is the final day covered by the forecast. AAA and INRIX said travelers can use updated traffic timing guidance over those dates, while renters will be competing for vehicles most heavily on Thursday and Friday. (midstates.aaa.com) (newsroom.aaa.com)