AAA projects 45 million Memorial Day travelers

AAA said on May 11 that 45 million Americans were expected to travel at least 50 miles from home between Thursday, May 21, and Monday, May 25, setting a new Memorial Day weekend record. The travel group said 39.1 million people would go by car and 3.66 million would fly, even as gasoline prices rose to their highest level since the summer of 2022. The New York Times reported that much of the country was headed for a wet, cool holiday weekend, adding weather risk to one of the busiest domestic travel stretches of the year. In Atlanta, FOX 5 forecast widespread showers and thunderstorms through the weekend, while New York-area forecasts pointed to a soggy start to the unofficial beginning of summer. ### How big is AAA’s forecast this year? AAA said the 45 million figure was slightly above 2025’s level and set a new Memorial Day weekend record. The forecast covers U.S. travelers going at least 50 miles from home during the five-day holiday window from May 21 through May 25. Stacey Barber, vice president of AAA Travel, said in the organization’s release that “travel demand remains strong” and that many people were still prioritizing leisure trips during holiday breaks despite higher fuel prices. (newsroom.aaa.com) AAA said the holiday marks the unofficial start of summer and remains a key travel period for domestic trips. ### Why are roads carrying most of the holiday traffic? AAA projected 39.1 million travelers would drive over Memorial Day weekend, accounting for 87% of all travelers in its forecast. The group said that was a slight increase from last year and kept driving as the dominant mode of travel. Gasoline prices were higher than a year earlier, with AAA saying drivers were paying more than the $3.17 national average recorded on Memorial Day last year. (newsroom.aaa.com) The organization said current pump prices were the highest since summer 2022. ### What does AAA say about flights and rentals? AAA said 3.66 million travelers were expected to take domestic flights, or about 8% of holiday travelers. (newsroom.aaa.com) The group said round-trip domestic airfares booked for the weekend were 6% cheaper than a year earlier, averaging $800, because many trips were purchased before higher jet fuel prices began affecting fares. Hertz told AAA that Thursday and Friday were expected to be the busiest rental-car pickup days. AAA said the top five rental markets were Orlando, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Denver and Boston, and that domestic car rentals were 1% cheaper than last year. ### Where is weather most likely to complicate plans? The New York Times reported on May 22 that much of the United States would be wet and cool over Memorial Day weekend, while the West was expected to be drier and closer to seasonal norms. (newsroom.aaa.com) That forecast added another variable for drivers and fliers already moving through crowded highways and airports. FOX 5 Atlanta said on May 23 that widespread showers and thunderstorms were set to disrupt holiday plans across north Georgia and metro Atlanta through the long weekend. The station said saturated ground raised the risk of downed trees, and meteorologist Jonathan Stacey said damaging wind gusts were the main severe-weather concern for Saturday before the threat eased into a heavy-rain pattern on Sunday and Monday. (nytimes.com) New York-area forecasts also pointed to a rainy holiday stretch. A local forecast carried by MSN said Memorial Day weekend in New York City was shaping up to be unsettled, with rainy weather and cool temperatures across the tri-state area. ### What should travelers watch through Monday? (fox5atlanta.com) AAA said more than 350,000 roadside assistance calls were logged over Memorial Day weekend last year for dead batteries, flat tires and empty fuel tanks. The group urged drivers to check batteries, tire pressure and fluids before leaving and to slow down, move over and drive sober during the holiday period. (msn.com) Monday, May 25, is the last day of AAA’s Memorial Day travel window. Local forecasts in Atlanta called for another round of thunderstorms later Monday, while AAA’s holiday advisory remained focused on heavy road volume, rental-car demand and weather-related delays through the end of the weekend. (fox5atlanta.com) (newsroom.aaa.com)