AAA forecasts 45M Memorial Day travelers

AAA said on May 11 that 45 million Americans are expected to travel at least 50 miles from home over Memorial Day weekend, a slight increase from 44.8 million a year earlier. The forecast covers the five-day holiday travel period from Thursday, May 21, through Monday, May 25. AAA said 2026 would set a new Memorial Day weekend record for domestic travel by car, with 39.1 million people expected to drive. Stacey Barber, vice president of AAA Travel, said in the release that “travel demand remains strong” even with higher fuel prices. ### How much of the holiday traffic is expected to be on the roads? AAA said 39.1 million travelers are expected to go by car, accounting for 87% of all Memorial Day travelers in its forecast. The group said that is a slight increase from last year and the dominant mode of travel for the holiday. (newsroom.aaa.com) INRIX, which partnered with AAA on the travel outlook, said the heaviest congestion is expected on Thursday and Friday between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m., as well as Monday afternoon. AAA said drivers are paying more at the pump than they were over Memorial Day last year, when the national average price for regular gasoline was $3.17 a gallon. (newsroom.aaa.com) ### What did AAA say about flights and other travel modes? AAA said 3.66 million travelers are expected to fly domestically over the holiday weekend, or about 8% of the total. The group said that figure is up slightly from last year, while average round-trip domestic airfare is 6% lower for travelers who booked early, at about $800. (inrix.com) AAA said another 2.2 million people are expected to travel by bus, train or cruise, up 5% from a year earlier. The organization said the increase reflects continued demand for leisure trips over the long weekend. ### Which destinations are drawing the most bookings? (newsroom.aaa.com) Orlando ranked first on AAA’s list of domestic Memorial Day destinations based on booking data for trips taken during the May 21-25 window. Other top domestic destinations included Seattle, New York, Las Vegas and Miami, according to reports that cited AAA’s booking rankings. (newsroom.aaa.com) AAA said the top five rental-car markets for the holiday are Orlando, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Denver and Boston. Hertz, identified by AAA as its car-rental partner, said Thursday and Friday are expected to be the busiest pickup days. ### Why is Orlando showing up at the top? (travel.yahoo.com) Orlando led AAA’s domestic rankings as travelers booked trips to theme parks and nearby attractions for the holiday weekend, according to coverage citing AAA booking data. Florida Today and the Palm Beach Post both reported that AAA expects heavy Memorial Day travel to the Orlando theme-park corridor. (newsroom.aaa.com) AAA’s broader booking data also put Orlando at the top of its rental-car demand list, reinforcing the city’s position as the busiest U.S. destination in the holiday period. Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Denver and Boston followed. ### What are travelers being told to do before leaving? (floridatoday.com) AAA said more than 350,000 drivers needed roadside assistance over last year’s Memorial Day weekend for dead batteries, flat tires and empty fuel tanks. The group urged motorists to check battery condition, tire pressure and fluids before leaving. (newsroom.aaa.com) AAA also told drivers to slow down, move over and avoid impaired driving during the holiday period. The organization said the busiest road travel is expected to begin on Thursday, May 21, with return traffic building on Monday, May 25. May 21 is the start of AAA’s Memorial Day travel window, and INRIX’s congestion forecast points to the late afternoon that day as one of the busiest periods on the road. (newsroom.aaa.com) AAA’s next public updates are available through its newsroom travel releases and regional club advisories as the holiday weekend approaches.