AAA projects 45 million 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, setting what the group called a new record for the long weekend. The forecast covers the five-day stretch from Thursday, May 21, through Monday, May 25. Most of those travelers are expected to drive, even with fuel prices running above last year’s holiday level. AAA said the total is slightly higher than the 44.8 million travelers it estimated for Memorial Day 2025. ### How many people does AAA expect on the road? AAA projected 39.1 million people will travel by car over the holiday weekend. The group said that would amount to 87% of all Memorial Day travelers and would also set a record for road travel during the holiday period. (newsroom.aaa.com) AAA said driving remains the dominant choice for holiday trips, even as motorists face higher pump prices than they did a year ago. In its forecast, the group said road travel would post a slight increase from 2025. ### What about flights and other travel? (newsroom.aaa.com) AAA said 3.66 million people are expected to fly to their destinations over the Memorial Day period. The group also said average ticket prices were lower than a year earlier for travelers who booked early. (newsroom.aaa.com) The remaining travelers are expected to use other modes, including buses, trains and cruises. AAA’s forecast defines the holiday travel period as trips of at least 50 miles from home, a standard it uses for its seasonal projections. ### Why did AAA say demand is still holding up? (newsroom.aaa.com) Stacey Barber, vice president of AAA Travel, said in the release that Memorial Day marks “the unofficial start of summer” and remains a natural point for leisure trips. Barber said, “Travel demand remains strong, and despite higher fuel prices, many people are prioritizing leisure travel during holiday breaks.” (newsroom.aaa.com) AAA tied that demand to the three-day holiday weekend, even though its measurement window spans five days to capture departures before Memorial Day and returns afterward. The organization said this year’s forecast is only slightly above 2025, but still enough to set a new high. (newsroom.aaa.com) ### How does this compare with last year? AAA said 44.8 million people traveled over Memorial Day in 2025. The 2026 forecast of 45 million is marginally higher, making this year’s projection the latest record in the group’s holiday series. AAA’s 2025 forecast had put Memorial Day travel at 45.1 million, but the 2026 release compares this year’s outlook with 44.8 million travelers last year. (newsroom.aaa.com) The new forecast says the increase is small, but enough to surpass last year’s level. ### When is the busiest travel window AAA is measuring? (newsroom.aaa.com) AAA said its Memorial Day forecast runs from Thursday, May 21, to Monday, May 25. That means the estimate includes travelers leaving before the three-day weekend begins and returning on Memorial Day itself. (newsroom.aaa.com) AAA’s forecast remains available on its newsroom site, with the breakdown by car, air and other transportation modes. The next hard test of the projection will come over the May 21-25 travel window itself, when airports, highways and local traffic agencies begin reporting actual holiday volumes. (newsroom.aaa.com)