AAA expects 45 million Memorial Day travelers

AAA said on May 11 that 45 million Americans are expected to travel at least 50 miles from home during the Memorial Day period from Thursday, May 21, through Monday, May 25. The group said that would edge past last year’s level and set a record for the holiday. The forecast comes as drivers face higher fuel prices than a year ago, while some air travelers who booked early are seeing lower fares, according to AAA. Fox Weather said rain, strong storms and unseasonably cool air could complicate plans across broad parts of the country as the holiday approaches. ### How big is AAA’s Memorial Day forecast this year? AAA said 45 million domestic travelers would mark the highest Memorial Day travel volume on record for the holiday period it tracks. The organization said the five-day window runs from May 21 to May 25 and counts trips of at least 50 miles from home. The biggest share of those travelers is expected to be on the roads. AAA said 39.1 million people are projected to drive, while 3.66 million are expected to fly. The rest are expected to travel by other modes including buses, trains and cruises. Stacey Barber, vice president of AAA Travel, said in the group’s release that Memorial Day is the unofficial start of summer and that demand remains strong for holiday getaways. ### Why are so many travelers still expected to drive? AAA said road trips remain the dominant choice for Memorial Day travel even with gas prices above year-earlier levels. The group said the flexibility of driving and the appeal of shorter leisure trips continue to support demand. INRIX, which worked with AAA on traffic expectations, said afternoon and early evening periods are likely to be the busiest on major roads over the holiday stretch. The traffic analytics company advised travelers to leave in the morning when possible to avoid the heaviest congestion. Florida and Arizona illustrate the scale at the state level. AAA said nearly 2.7 million Floridians are expected to travel during the holiday period, while Arizona’s forecast calls for about 973,000 travelers. ### What do the state forecasts show? Florida’s AAA club said nearly 2.7 million residents are expected to travel over the five-day holiday period, a state record for Memorial Day. More than 2.3 million of those travelers are expected to drive, according to the Florida forecast. Arizona’s AAA forecast said 973,000 residents are expected to travel at least 50 miles from home between May 21 and May 25. Local reports citing AAA said that would top last year’s level and set a state record for the holiday. Those state estimates track with the national pattern: most travelers are expected to go by car, with smaller shares flying or using other transportation. ### What is the weather outlook for the holiday weekend? Fox Weather said on May 17 that rain, strong thunderstorms and chilly temperatures could disrupt plans for millions of Americans over Memorial Day weekend. The outlet said a slow-moving weather pattern could affect a large swath of the country. Major airports in Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston and Atlanta are among the hubs worth watching, Fox Weather said, because storms in those areas can ripple through airline schedules. The outlet also said cooler air could limit beach and outdoor plans in some regions. Weather conditions can shift through the week, and airline and airport updates are likely to change with the forecast. Travelers typically monitor carriers, airports and the National Weather Service as the holiday nears. ### What should travelers watch between now and May 21? May 21 is the start of AAA’s Memorial Day travel window, and road congestion is expected to build that afternoon. AAA and INRIX said travelers who can leave earlier in the day may avoid the worst traffic periods. Fox Weather said the storm threat could sharpen closer to the weekend, especially around major Southern travel hubs. Airlines, airports and state transportation agencies are expected to post updated advisories as forecasts firm up ahead of May 23-25.