AAA projects 45 million 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, setting a new record for the period. The forecast covers Thursday, May 21, through Monday, May 25, according to the group’s annual outlook. AAA said 39.1 million people will travel by car, 3.66 million will fly and about 2.2 million will use other modes such as trains, buses or cruises. Stacey Barber, vice president of AAA Travel, said in the release that demand remained strong even as fuel prices rose. ### How big is AAA’s national forecast this year? AAA put the national total at 44.95 million travelers, up slightly from 44.79 million in 2025, according to its May 11 release. The organization said that would top the previous Memorial Day high and mark another year of record holiday travel. The 39.1 million expected drivers account for 87% of all Memorial Day travelers, AAA said. Air travelers make up about 8% of the total, while other modes are projected to rise 5.2% from a year earlier to 2.223 million. ### What is pushing the number to a record? Stacey Barber said Memorial Day remains a priority leisure weekend for many Americans despite higher fuel costs. “Travel demand remains strong, and despite higher fuel prices, many people are prioritizing leisure travel during holiday breaks,” Barber said in AAA’s national release. AAA said the increase from last year is modest. Megan Cooper, spokeswoman for AAA – The Auto Club Group, said in a Tennessee release that the year-over-year gain is the smallest in more than a decade, even as total travel reaches record levels. ### What does AAA say about costs this holiday? AAA said drivers are paying more at the pump than they did over Memorial Day last year, when the national average for regular gasoline was $3.17 a gallon. The group said current pump prices are the highest seen since the summer of 2022. Airfare has moved differently. AAA said roundtrip domestic flights booked for Memorial Day travel averaged $800, down 6% from a year earlier for travelers who booked early. Car rentals are also slightly cheaper, according to AAA booking data. The group said domestic rental prices are 1% lower than last year for the holiday weekend. ### What does the Tennessee forecast show? AAA – The Auto Club Group said 950,350 Tennesseans are expected to travel at least 50 miles from home for the holiday, setting a state Memorial Day record. The Tennessee release, also dated May 11, said that total is up 0.2% from 948,672 a year earlier. Most Tennessee travelers are expected to drive. AAA said 795,145 will go by car, 114,992 will fly and 40,213 will use other transportation. Megan Cooper said higher fuel prices and inflation may lead some travelers to shorten trips, delay plans or stay closer to home. AAA’s Tennessee club said the state average gasoline price was $4.16 a gallon as of Sunday in its release. ### When will roads and airports be busiest? AAA said the holiday travel period begins Thursday, May 21, and ends Monday, May 25. Hertz, identified by AAA as its car-rental partner, said Thursday and Friday are expected to be the busiest pickup days for rental vehicles. Last Memorial Day weekend, AAA said it handled more than 350,000 roadside assistance calls nationwide for problems including dead batteries, flat tires and empty fuel tanks. The organization urged drivers to check tires, batteries and fluids before departing and reminded motorists to slow down, move over and drive sober. AAA said Orlando, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Denver and Boston are expected to be the top rental-car markets for the holiday weekend. The next public test of that forecast comes when the five-day Memorial Day travel window opens on Thursday, May 21.