AAA forecasts 45 million Memorial 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, a forecast that would set a new record for the five-day stretch from Thursday, May 21, through Monday, May 25. The travel group said the total is slightly above 2025’s 44.8 million travelers. (newsroom.aaa.com) AAA said road and air travel are both expected to set holiday records this year. The largest share of travelers will be on the road. AAA projected 39.1 million people will drive over the holiday weekend, while 3.66 million are expected to fly and 2.2 million are expected to travel by bus, train or cruise. AAA said driving accounts for 87% of all Memorial Day travelers. (newsroom.aaa.com) ### How big is this year’s Memorial Day travel forecast? AAA’s 45 million estimate would be a new Memorial Day weekend high, according to its May 11 forecast. The organization said the increase from last year is modest, but enough to push the total above 2025 levels. (newsroom.aaa.com) The forecast covers a five-day window rather than just the three-day holiday weekend. AAA defines the period as Thursday, May 21, through Monday, May 25, and counts travelers going at least 50 miles from home. ### Why are so many people still driving? AAA said 39.1 million people are expected to travel by car, making road trips by far the dominant mode. (newsroom.aaa.com) The group said many Americans are still prioritizing leisure travel during holiday breaks despite higher fuel prices. “Travel demand remains strong, and despite higher fuel prices, many people are prioritizing leisure travel during holiday breaks,” Stacey Barber, vice president of AAA Travel, said in the release. Gasoline prices are higher than they were a year ago. AAA said drivers are paying more than last Memorial Day, when the national average price for a gallon of regular gasoline was $3.17, and said current pump prices are the highest since the summer of 2022. (newsroom.aaa.com) A regional AAA release said the national average for regular gasoline on May 11 was $4.52. ### What does AAA say about flying and other travel? AAA said 3.66 million travelers are expected to take domestic flights, accounting for about 8% of holiday travelers. The group said round-trip domestic flights booked for Memorial Day weekend were 6% cheaper than a year earlier, with an average ticket price of $800, based on what travelers paid when they booked. (newsroom.aaa.com) Other modes are also rising. AAA said 2.2 million people are expected to travel by bus, train or cruise, up 5% from last year. The organization said Alaska cruises are helping drive growth in that category as the season begins. (newsroom.aaa.com) ### Which destinations are drawing the most bookings? AAA booking data showed Orlando ranked as the top domestic destination for Memorial Day weekend, followed by Seattle, New York City, Las Vegas and Miami. The rest of the domestic top 10 were San Francisco, Anchorage, Chicago, Denver and Boston. (newsroom.aaa.com) Internationally, AAA said Rome ranked first, followed by Vancouver, Paris, London and Athens. Dublin, Barcelona, Southampton, Amsterdam and Edinburgh rounded out the top 10. (newsroom.aaa.com) ### What practical details is AAA highlighting before the weekend? AAA said last Memorial Day weekend 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 and to “Slow Down, Move Over, and drive sober.” (magazine.northeast.aaa.com) Hertz, AAA’s car-rental partner, said Thursday and Friday are expected to be the busiest pickup days for rental vehicles over the holiday period. AAA said Orlando, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Denver and Boston are the top five rental-car markets for the weekend, and said domestic car rentals are 1% cheaper than a year ago. (magazine.northeast.aaa.com) (newsroom.aaa.com)