AAA expects 45 million travelers

AAA said 45 million Americans are expected to travel at least 50 miles from home over Memorial Day weekend, setting a new record for the holiday. The forecast, issued May 11, covers Thursday, May 21, through Monday, May 25. The group said 39.1 million people would travel by car and 3.66 million would fly, while local television reports from Friday showed long lines at airports including Baltimore/Washington International. ### Why is the headline number getting so much attention? AAA said the 45 million figure is slightly above last year’s total and would mark a new Memorial Day weekend record. The group defines the holiday period as trips of at least 50 miles from home between May 21 and May 25. (newsroom.aaa.com) CBS Baltimore reported on May 23 that the count was record-setting and that travelers were already encountering packed highways, crowded airports and higher costs. At BWI on Friday, the station said, long lines stretched through terminals as passengers left for holiday trips. (newsroom.aaa.com) ### How much of this weekend is really about driving? AAA said 39.1 million people are expected to travel by car, accounting for 87% of all Memorial Day travelers. That makes driving the dominant mode by a wide margin and puts the heaviest pressure on highways rather than airports. (cbsnews.com) Stacey Barber, vice president of AAA Travel, said in the forecast that “travel demand remains strong” and that many people are still prioritizing leisure trips during holiday breaks despite higher fuel prices. AAA also said Thursday and Friday were expected to be the busiest rental-car pickup days, according to Hertz booking expectations. (newsroom.aaa.com) ### What does AAA say about gas prices and travel costs? AAA said drivers are paying more at the pump than they were a year ago, when the national average for regular gasoline was $3.17 on Memorial Day. The group said current pump prices are the highest since the summer of 2022. (newsroom.aaa.com) CBS Baltimore reported that the higher costs were affecting decisions for some travelers. The station quoted West Baltimore resident Kassim Conteh saying he planned to stay home and save money, while another traveler at BWI said passengers should “get here early and pray for the best!” (newsroom.aaa.com) ### If flights are cheaper on average, why are airports still crowded? AAA said 3.66 million travelers are expected to take domestic flights, up slightly from last year, and that round-trip domestic tickets booked for the holiday averaged $800, down 6% from a year earlier. The group said many of those trips were booked before rising jet fuel prices began affecting airfare. (cbsnews.com) CBS Baltimore reported that airport crowds were being compounded by fewer budget-flight options at BWI after Spirit Airlines shut down operations in early May. The station said analysts expected the loss of a major discount carrier to mean fuller flights and higher fares for some travelers. (newsroom.aaa.com) ### What practical pressure points is AAA flagging for the weekend? AAA said more than 350,000 emergency roadside-assistance calls were logged over last Memorial Day weekend for problems including dead batteries, flat tires and empty fuel tanks. The group urged drivers this year to check batteries, tire pressure and fluids before leaving and to slow down, move over and drive sober. (cbsnews.com) BWI travelers were also being told to arrive early and check flight status before heading to the airport, CBS Baltimore reported. The station said transportation officials expected heavy traffic again on Monday as travelers returned home. ### What should travelers watch next? (newsroom.aaa.com) Monday, May 25, is the last day in AAA’s forecast window and the main return-travel pinch point cited by local officials and broadcasters. AAA’s holiday projection runs through that date, and airport operators and transportation agencies are directing travelers to monitor flight status, road conditions and departure timing as the weekend closes. (newsroom.aaa.com) (cbsnews.com)