AAA: 45.1 million Americans expected to travel over Memorial Day weekend
- AAA said on May 11 that 45 million Americans would travel at least 50 miles from home over the Memorial Day period. - AAA projected 39.1 million travelers would drive and 3.66 million would fly, while Orlando ranked first in its domestic booking data. - Orlando International Airport says MCO Reserve security slots are available from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. for eligible departing passengers.
AAA projected on May 11 that 45 million Americans would travel at least 50 miles from home between Thursday, May 21, and Monday, May 25, for Memorial Day weekend. The auto club said that would edge past last year’s holiday volume and set a new record for the period. Most travelers are expected to go by car, with air travel also rising. Orlando ranked as the top domestic destination in AAA booking data, putting added focus on Florida roads and Orlando International Airport. ### How many people is AAA expecting on the move? AAA said 45 million Americans were expected to travel over the five-day Memorial Day holiday period this year. The group said that compares with 44.8 million travelers in 2025 and exceeds the previous Memorial Day record. The forecast from AAA put road travel at 39.1 million people and domestic air travel at 3.66 million. Another 2.2 million people are expected to travel by other modes, including bus, train and cruise, according to the organization. Stacey Barber, vice president of AAA Travel, said in the release that Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer and that many Americans use the long weekend for short breaks. AAA said higher fuel prices had not stopped demand and that some air travelers benefited from lower ticket prices if they booked early. (newsroom.aaa.com) ### Why are the roads still carrying most of the traffic? AAA said 39.1 million people are expected to travel by car, making driving by far the dominant mode for the holiday weekend. The group said that would set a Memorial Day record for road travel. AAA said travelers often choose road trips on long weekends because the trips can be shorter and more flexible than air itineraries. (newsroom.aaa.com) The organization also said rental-car demand is strongest in Orlando, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Denver and Boston over the holiday period. ### Why is Orlando getting so much attention this weekend? (newsroom.aaa.com) AAA booking data ranked Orlando as the top domestic Memorial Day destination for 2026. Florida Today, citing AAA, said the ranking was based on bookings for trips between May 21 and May 25. (convenience.org) Orlando’s position reflects heavy demand for the area’s theme parks and holiday travel to Central Florida. AAA’s broader destination list also included Seattle, New York, Las Vegas and Miami among the top domestic markets. ### What is happening at Orlando International Airport? Orlando International Airport is expecting more than 900,000 passengers over the Memorial Day stretch, according to local reports citing airport officials. (floridatoday.com) Fox 35 Orlando said Monday, May 25, is expected to be the busiest day at MCO, with about 165,000 passengers forecast. (thehill.com) MCO says its MCO Reserve program lets travelers book a TSA screening time in advance. The airport says security screening times are available from 5:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for flights departing between 6:30 a.m. and 8:30 p.m., with slots available in terminals A, B and C. ### What should travelers watch over the rest of the weekend? AAA’s forecast covers travel through Monday, May 25, the main return day for many holiday travelers. (fox35orlando.com) Local airport guidance in Orlando points to Monday as the peak day at MCO, while AAA’s holiday window runs through that date nationwide. (flymco.com) MCO says travelers can book Reserve time slots up to seven days in advance. AAA’s travel period ends Monday, May 25, with Orlando, Seattle, New York, Las Vegas and Miami among the destinations drawing the heaviest demand. (flymco.com) (newsroom.aaa.com)
