Gas hits about $4.50 per gallon

AAA said on May 11 that 45 million Americans are expected to travel at least 50 miles from home between Thursday, May 21, and Monday, May 25, setting a Memorial Day weekend record. The group said 39.1 million of them will go by car, even as gasoline prices run above last year’s holiday levels. AAA also said domestic car rentals are 1% cheaper than a year ago, offering a small offset for travelers who are not driving their own vehicles. In Michigan, AAA projects more than 1.3 million residents will travel, including nearly 1.2 million by car. ### How many people are expected to be on the road? AAA said 39.1 million people will travel by car over the five-day holiday period, accounting for 87% of all Memorial Day travelers. The broader forecast puts total domestic holiday travel at 45 million people, up slightly from 44.8 million in 2025. Stacey Barber, vice president of AAA Travel, said in the group’s national release that “travel demand remains strong” and that many Americans are still prioritizing leisure trips during holiday breaks despite higher fuel prices. AAA said 3.66 million people are expected to fly and another 2.2 million are expected to travel by bus, train or cruise. (newsroom.aaa.com) ### Why are gas prices getting so much attention? AAA said drivers are paying more at the pump than they did over Memorial Day weekend last year, when the national average for regular gasoline was $3.17 a gallon. The group said current pump prices are the highest they have been since the summer of 2022. (newsroom.aaa.com) In Michigan, AAA said the state average gasoline price was $4.73 a gallon, compared with $3.20 a gallon on Memorial Day last year. Adrienne Woodland, a spokeswoman for AAA–The Auto Club Group, said higher fuel prices and persistent inflation may cause some travelers to shorten trips, delay plans or stay closer to home. (newsroom.aaa.com) ### If gas is high, why are people still traveling? AAA said year-over-year travel growth is small, but still positive, with the 2026 holiday expected to set a record. The group’s Michigan office said travel volumes continue to climb even though the increase from last year remains limited. (newsroom.acg.aaa.com) Adrienne Woodland said Memorial Day travel is “still reaching record levels,” but described the increase as the smallest year-over-year gain in more than a decade. Nationally, AAA said total travel is up less than 1% from last year. ### Are there any costs easing for travelers? (newsroom.aaa.com) AAA said domestic car rentals are 1% cheaper this holiday weekend than they were a year ago, based on booking data. The group said average roundtrip domestic airfare is 6% lower than last year at about $800 for travelers who booked before rising jet fuel prices began affecting fares. (newsroom.acg.aaa.com) Hertz, AAA’s car rental partner, said Thursday and Friday are expected to be the busiest pickup days. AAA said the top five rental markets are Orlando, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Denver and Boston. ### What is AAA telling drivers to do before leaving? AAA said drivers should check their battery, tire pressure and fluids before heading out. (newsroom.aaa.com) The group said it responded to more than 350,000 emergency roadside assistance calls over last year’s Memorial Day weekend for problems including dead batteries, flat tires and empty fuel tanks. AAA also urged motorists to slow down, move over for disabled vehicles and roadside responders, and drive sober. The organization said travelers can use its mobile app and gas price tracker to compare fuel prices by area before they leave. ### What happens next over the holiday weekend? (newsroom.aaa.com) The Memorial Day travel period begins on Thursday, May 21, and ends on Monday, May 25, according to AAA’s forecast. AAA said Hertz expects the heaviest rental-car pickup activity on Thursday and Friday, while Michigan’s statewide forecast points to nearly 1.2 million road travelers over the same five-day stretch. (newsroom.aaa.com)