45 million Americans to travel Memorial Day

AAA said 45 million Americans are expected to travel at least 50 miles from home over the Memorial Day period from Thursday, May 21, through Monday, May 25, setting a record for the holiday. The auto club said 39.1 million of those travelers are expected to drive, while 3.66 million are projected to fly. INRIX, which worked with AAA on the forecast, said road congestion is expected to build on Thursday and Friday afternoons and again on Monday as travelers return. ### How big is this year’s Memorial Day travel surge? AAA said the 45 million figure is slightly above last year’s 44.8 million and would be the highest Memorial Day travel volume on record. The forecast covers domestic trips of 50 miles or more and includes travel by car, air and other modes. AAA Vice President of Travel Stacey Barber said in the group’s release that Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer and that demand remains strong for holiday getaways. (newsroom.aaa.com) ### Why are so many people still driving? AAA said 39.1 million people are expected to travel by car, making road trips by far the dominant mode for the long weekend. That amounts to roughly 87% of all projected Memorial Day travelers, based on AAA’s totals. The group said gas prices are higher than they were a year ago, but average airfare is lower for travelers who booked early. (newsroom.aaa.com) ABC News reported that American Airlines expects Friday, May 22, to be its busiest day of the holiday weekend. That adds to pressure on highways and airports at the same time, particularly as travelers cluster around the start of the three-day break. ### When are the worst hours to be on the road? INRIX and AAA said the worst driving times are expected on Thursday and Friday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., with Monday afternoon also likely to be heavily congested as people head home. (inrix.com) A Yahoo Creators report citing the same guidance said drivers should plan around those windows first. (abcnews.com) Yahoo Creators also listed broader high-traffic periods of noon to 9 p.m. on Thursday and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday. That means travelers leaving before late morning or waiting until evening may face lighter traffic than those departing in the peak afternoon rush. (creators.yahoo.com) ### What does the forecast say about flying? AAA said 3.66 million travelers are expected to fly over the Memorial Day stretch. That makes air travel the second-largest category behind driving, even as the road remains the main outlet for holiday demand. ABC News said American Airlines is also predicting its busiest summer ever, with the carrier identifying May 22 as its peak Memorial Day travel day. (creators.yahoo.com) That suggests crowded terminals and fuller flights even before the broader summer travel season reaches its high point. ### What should travelers watch next? (inrix.com) Thursday, May 21, begins AAA’s five-day Memorial Day travel window, and Monday, May 25, is expected to bring another wave of heavy return traffic. Travelers looking for the latest timing guidance can monitor AAA and INRIX updates as departure patterns develop through the weekend. (newsroom.aaa.com) (abcnews.com)