AAA forecasts 45 million travelers

AAA said 45 million Americans are expected to travel at least 50 miles from home over the Memorial Day holiday period, setting a record for the weekend even as gasoline prices remain at their highest level since the summer of 2022. The forecast covers the five-day stretch from Thursday, May 21, through Monday, May 25, according to the auto club’s May 11 report. Driving is expected to account for the vast majority of trips, with air travel also projected to set a holiday record. INRIX, which provided traffic analysis for AAA, said the heaviest congestion was expected on Thursday and Friday between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m., and again on Monday afternoon. ### How big is this Memorial Day travel forecast? AAA said the 45 million figure is slightly above the 44.8 million people who traveled over Memorial Day weekend in 2025. The organization said that makes 2026 the highest Memorial Day travel volume on record. The forecast counts travelers going at least 50 miles from home. (newsroom.aaa.com) The May 21-May 25 holiday window matters because AAA measures Memorial Day travel over five days, not only the three-day weekend. That broader count helps explain why the forecast is larger than some traveler guides that focus more narrowly on weekend road traffic. ### How many people are expected to drive? (midstates.aaa.com) AAA said 39.1 million travelers are expected to go by car. That is the clearest sign that road trips remain the dominant Memorial Day travel mode despite higher fuel costs. Separate coverage based on the AAA forecast described the road total as more than 39 million drivers hitting the roads this weekend. (midstates.aaa.com) AAA also said 3.66 million people are expected to fly to their destinations, another record for the holiday. A further 2.27 million travelers are expected to use other modes such as buses, trains and cruises, according to regional AAA postings that mirror the national forecast. ### Why are so many people still traveling with gas prices higher? (southjersey.aaa.com) AAA said pump prices this holiday weekend are higher than they were a year ago and are the highest seen since the summer of 2022. Even so, the group said demand for Memorial Day trips remained strong. Stacey Barber, vice president of AAA Travel, said in the national release that Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer and, for many Americans, a three-day weekend. (southjersey.aaa.com) AAA’s roadside data also points to the scale of the driving surge. The organization said it responded to more than 350,000 emergency roadside assistance calls over last year’s Memorial Day weekend for problems including dead batteries, flat tires and empty fuel tanks. (newsroom.aaa.com) ### When are the worst times to be on the road? INRIX said Thursday and Friday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. were expected to be the most congested periods before the holiday, with Monday afternoon also likely to be heavily backed up as travelers return home. The traffic-data company said morning departures are generally the better option for drivers trying to avoid the worst delays. (newsroom.aaa.com) AAA said travelers renting cars should also expect pressure at pickup counters. Hertz, identified by AAA as its car-rental partner, said Thursday and Friday were expected to be the busiest pickup days, with Orlando, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Denver and Boston among the top demand markets. (newsroom.aaa.com) ### What should travelers watch through Monday? Monday, May 25, is Memorial Day, and AAA’s forecast period runs through the end of that day. INRIX said Monday afternoon is one of the peak congestion periods, and AAA said drivers should check batteries, tire pressure and fluids before leaving, while watching for heavy traffic as the holiday period closes. (newsroom.aaa.com)