AAA projects 3.66 million travelers

AAA said 45 million Americans were expected to travel at least 50 miles from home over the Memorial Day holiday period from Thursday, May 21, through Monday, May 25. The group said that would edge past last year’s level and set a Memorial Day weekend record, with most trips happening by car and 3.66 million travelers expected to fly domestically. The forecast landed as holiday travelers also faced unsettled weather in parts of the country. The New York Times reported on May 22 that much of the United States was expected to be wet and cool over the weekend, with East Coast rain among the main concerns for people driving or flying at the start of the summer travel season. The Times separately reported that most Memorial Day travelers would be on the road. (newsroom.aaa.com) ### How many people is AAA expecting to travel? AAA said 45 million Americans would travel over the five-day Memorial Day period, slightly above the 44.8 million who traveled in 2025. The group said 39.1 million people were expected to drive, making up 87% of holiday travelers. The air-travel figure drew particular attention because AAA said 3.66 million people were expected to take domestic flights, a small increase from last year. (newsroom.aaa.com) Air passengers would account for about 8% of Memorial Day travelers, according to the forecast. ### Why is the air-travel number getting attention? AAA said the 3.66 million figure marked another busy holiday period for U.S. airports even though flying remained a smaller share of total travel than driving. (newsroom.aaa.com) The organization said domestic roundtrip flights booked for Memorial Day weekend were 6% cheaper than a year earlier, with an average ticket price of $800. Stacey Barber, vice president of AAA Travel, said in the release that “travel demand remains strong” and that many people were still prioritizing leisure trips during holiday breaks despite higher fuel prices. AAA said many of the air tickets reflected earlier bookings made before higher jet-fuel prices began affecting fares. ### What does the forecast say about roads, gas and rental cars? (newsroom.aaa.com) AAA said 39.1 million people would travel by car, a slight increase from last year and the dominant mode for the weekend. The group said drivers were paying more at the pump than they did on Memorial Day 2025, when the national average for regular gasoline was $3.17 a gallon. (newsroom.aaa.com) Hertz, identified by AAA as its car-rental partner, said Thursday and Friday were expected to be the busiest pickup days. AAA said Orlando, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Denver and Boston were the top five rental markets by demand, while domestic car rentals were 1% cheaper than a year ago. ### Where could weather cause the biggest problems? (newsroom.aaa.com) The New York Times reported on May 22 that much of the country was likely to see wet and cool conditions over Memorial Day weekend, with the East expected to be especially vulnerable to rain. That setup raised the risk of slower highway traffic and flight disruptions in major East Coast corridors during one of the busiest travel periods of the spring. (newsroom.aaa.com) Regional forecasts cited in broader coverage pointed to soggy conditions in New York City and cool, rainy weather around Washington, while South Florida was expected to be hotter and drier than much of the East. ### What should travelers watch through Monday? AAA said its Memorial Day forecast ran through Monday, May 25, the final day of the holiday period. (nytimes.com) The group also said it handled more than 350,000 roadside-assistance calls over Memorial Day weekend last year, including for dead batteries, flat tires and empty fuel tanks. For travelers still on the move, the next checkpoints are airport operations, highway congestion and local weather updates through Memorial Day itself. (nytimes.com) AAA’s holiday-period figures and travel guidance remain posted in its May 11 Memorial Day forecast release. (newsroom.aaa.com)