AAA forecasts 45 million travelers

AAA said 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 weekend. The projection covers Thursday, May 21, through Monday, May 25, according to AAA’s May 11 release. The group said 39.1 million people are expected to drive, making cars by far the dominant mode even as fuel prices remain higher than a year ago. Another 3.66 million travelers are expected to fly, while roughly 2.2 million are forecast to travel by other modes including buses, trains and cruises. ### How big is AAA’s Memorial Day forecast this year? AAA said the 45 million total is slightly above the 44.8 million people it estimated traveled over Memorial Day in 2025. That would make 2026 the latest in a run of strong holiday demand after 43.8 million travelers in 2024 and 45.1 million in 2025, according to AAA’s prior forecasts. (newsroom.aaa.com) Stacey Barber, vice president of AAA Travel, said in the release that Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer and that many Americans use the long weekend to take a trip. AAA said the forecast covers domestic travelers going 50 miles or more from home. (newsroom.aaa.com) ### Why are so many of those trips happening by car? AAA said 39.1 million people are expected to travel by car over the five-day period, setting a Memorial Day weekend record for road travel. The forecast suggests drivers will account for nearly nine in 10 holiday travelers. (newsroom.aaa.com) INRIX, which worked with AAA on the forecast materials, said travelers should expect the heaviest congestion in the afternoons. USA Today, citing INRIX data published alongside the holiday forecast, said the best strategy for drivers trying to avoid peak traffic is to leave in the morning or at night. (newsroom.aaa.com) Regional AAA forecasts pointed to the same pattern. Local reports in Washington state and California said AAA expected heavy road demand and published best and worst departure times for drivers heading out for the weekend. ### What does AAA expect for flying and other travel? (inrix.com) AAA said 3.66 million people are expected to fly to their destinations during the Memorial Day period. That would leave about 2.2 million travelers using other transportation, including buses, rail and cruises. (seattletimes.com) AAA said average ticket prices for flights are lower than last year for travelers who booked early. The group contrasted that with higher gas prices heading into the holiday weekend. American Airlines said its busiest travel day of the holiday weekend is expected to be Friday, May 22, according to ABC News. (inrix.com) The airline also said it is forecasting its busiest summer ever, with July 17 expected to be its most popular day to fly. ### When is the travel rush expected to peak? (inrix.com) AAA defined the holiday travel period as Thursday, May 21, through Monday, May 25. That five-day window is the basis for the 45 million-traveler forecast. ABC News reported that Friday, May 22, is expected to be the busiest day to fly for American Airlines. (abcnews.com) On the roads, INRIX traffic guidance cited by national and regional outlets pointed travelers toward early departures to avoid the worst holiday backups. May 25 is Memorial Day, and AAA’s forecast materials and related traffic guidance are already posted through its newsroom and regional club sites. (newsroom.aaa.com) Travelers looking for route-specific timing will find updated drive-time advice from AAA and local outlets as the weekend begins. (abcnews.com)