AAA projects 45M Memorial Day travelers

AAA said on May 11 that 45 million Americans are expected to travel at least 50 miles from home over the Memorial Day holiday period from Thursday, May 21, through Monday, May 25. The forecast is slightly above last year’s 44.8 million and would set a Memorial Day weekend record, according to the travel organization. Of the total, AAA said 39.1 million people are expected to travel by car, 3.66 million by air and 2.2 million by bus, train or cruise. The projection arrives as fuel prices remain well above a year ago, with AAA’s national average for regular gasoline at $4.534 a gallon on May 14 and $4.528 on May 15. ### How big is AAA’s Memorial Day forecast this year? AAA’s 45 million estimate covers domestic leisure travelers going at least 50 miles from home during the five-day holiday window. The group said the total is slightly higher than in 2025 and would be a new high for Memorial Day weekend travel. (newsroom.aaa.com) The 39.1 million expected to drive account for 87% of all Memorial Day travelers in AAA’s forecast. Another 3.66 million are projected to fly, while 2.2 million are expected to use other modes including buses, trains and cruises. ### Why are cars still dominating the holiday weekend? (newsroom.aaa.com) AAA said driving remains the most popular option for Memorial Day trips, even with pump prices above last year’s levels. Stacey Barber, vice president of AAA Travel, said in the release that “travel demand remains strong” and that many people are still prioritizing leisure travel during holiday breaks despite higher fuel prices. (newsroom.aaa.com) Last Memorial Day weekend, AAA said it handled more than 350,000 roadside assistance calls involving dead batteries, flat tires and empty fuel tanks. The organization used that figure to urge drivers to check batteries, tire pressure and fluids before leaving. ### What are drivers paying for gas right now? (newsroom.aaa.com) AAA’s fuel tracker listed the national average for regular gasoline at $4.534 per gallon on May 14 and $4.528 per gallon on May 15. The same tracker showed a month-ago average of $4.108 and a year-ago average of $3.193. The U.S. Energy Information Administration reported a nationwide regular gasoline average of $4.500 for the week of May 11. (newsroom.aaa.com) Its regional data showed the Central Atlantic at $4.534, the East Coast at $4.336 and the West Coast at $5.613. ### What does AAA say about flights and other trips? AAA said 3.66 million travelers are expected to take domestic flights over the holiday weekend, a small increase from last year. (gasprices.aaa.com) The group said round-trip domestic flights booked through AAA data were 6% cheaper than a year earlier, with an average ticket price of $800. (eia.gov) AAA also said travel by other modes is expected to rise 5% to 2.2 million people. The organization said Alaska cruise season is one factor behind that increase. ### Where could the heaviest holiday demand show up? Hertz, identified by AAA as its car-rental partner, said Thursday and Friday are expected to be the busiest pickup days for Memorial Day weekend rentals. (newsroom.aaa.com) AAA said the five markets with the highest rental demand are Orlando, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Denver and Boston. (southjersey.aaa.com) AAA’s booking data also showed domestic car rentals are 1% cheaper than during the same holiday period last year. That compares with the higher year-over-year cost of gasoline cited in the same forecast. ### What happens next before the holiday starts? May 19 is the next scheduled release date for the Energy Information Administration’s weekly gasoline and diesel update. (newsroom.aaa.com) AAA’s Memorial Day travel window begins two days later, on Thursday, May 21, and runs through Monday, May 25. (eia.gov)