AAA forecasts 45 million Memorial Day travelers

AAA said 45 million Americans are expected to travel at least 50 miles from home over the Memorial Day holiday period, setting what the auto and travel group called a new record for the long weekend. The forecast covers trips between Thursday, May 21, and Monday, May 25, according to AAA. The group said 39.1 million people are expected to drive and 3.66 million are expected to fly. Weather forecasts, meanwhile, show rain and thunderstorms in parts of the South and Northeast that could complicate some plans. (newsroom.aaa.com) ### How big is AAA’s Memorial Day forecast this year? AAA said the 45 million figure is slightly higher than last year’s holiday forecast and sets a new Memorial Day weekend record. The organization defines the period as trips of 50 miles or more from home between May 21 and May 25. Stacey Barber, vice president of AAA Travel, said in the group’s release that Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer and gives many Americans a three-day weekend for a getaway. AAA said higher gas prices than a year ago have not prevented strong demand for road trips. (newsroom.aaa.com) ### Why are roads expected to carry most of the traffic? AAA said 39.1 million travelers are expected to go by car, making driving by far the dominant mode for the holiday weekend. The same forecast said 3.66 million people are expected to fly to their destinations. (newsroom.aaa.com) ABC News, citing INRIX, reported that drivers leaving on Friday, May 22, should aim to be on the road before 11 a.m., with the heaviest traffic expected from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. The report also said Monday, May 25, is expected to be another busy return-travel day. (newsroom.aaa.com) ### What are airlines saying about the holiday rush? Delta Air Lines said it is operating more than 25,600 flights between Thursday and Monday and expects Thursday to be its most crowded day of the holiday stretch, according to ABC News. American Airlines said Friday, May 22, is expected to be its busiest travel day of the weekend. (newsroom.aaa.com) AAA’s forecast said lower average airfares for travelers who booked early helped support demand even as fuel prices rose. The organization did not say that weather would reduce overall travel volumes, but forecasts point to delays in some regions if storms intensify. (abcnews.com) ### Where could weather disrupt Memorial Day plans? ABC News said much of the country will not see beach-friendly weather, with Friday expected to be mostly cloudy in the Northeast and temperatures there running 5 to 10 degrees below average for late May. (abcnews.com) The same report said widespread showers and thunderstorms are expected across the South. The Weather Channel said the overall pattern for the weekend points to showers and storms in the South and Northeast, while much of the West is expected to see better conditions. That split means travelers may face very different conditions depending on destination and route. (newsroom.aaa.com) ### When should travelers watch most closely? Friday, May 22, is the key day for road congestion and one of the busiest days for air travel, based on AAA’s forecast and airline guidance reported by ABC News. Monday, May 25, is expected to bring another wave of heavy traffic as holiday travelers head home. (abcnews.com) AAA’s holiday window runs through Monday, May 25. Travelers heading into the weekend can track conditions through airline alerts, local forecasts and traffic updates as the heaviest driving and storm periods develop. (weather.com) (newsroom.aaa.com) (abcnews.com)