AAA expects 45 million Memorial Day 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 period from Thursday, May 21, through Monday, May 25, a figure the auto club said would top last year’s 44.8 million. The forecast points to another heavy holiday crush on roads and at airports even as gas and airfare costs remain elevated. ABC News reported that airlines are already flagging their busiest days, while the National Park Service is warning visitors to some marquee destinations to expect congestion. In Great Smoky Mountains National Park, officials said parking at popular sites will fill early and traffic will be heavy through the weekend. ### How big is the Memorial Day travel forecast this year? AAA said 45 million travelers would make trips of 50 miles or more during the five-day holiday window, making it slightly higher than the 2025 level of 44.8 million. The group said the projection would set a Memorial Day record. The largest share of those travelers will be drivers. (newsroom.aaa.com) AAA projected 39.1 million people will travel by car, according to its May 11 release, even with fuel prices running well above year-earlier levels in media reports this week. ### Where will the biggest bottlenecks show up first? Airlines said the busiest days will cluster at the front end of the holiday. (newsroom.aaa.com) Delta Air Lines told ABC News it is operating more than 25,600 flights between Thursday and Monday and expects Thursday to be its most crowded day. American Airlines said Friday, May 22, is expected to be its busiest travel day of the holiday weekend. CBS News reported on May 20 that travelers should expect higher costs for airfare, gas, lodging and activities, describing the broader pattern as “vacation inflation” and saying the price increases are not stopping holiday trips. ### Why are the roads likely to feel especially crowded? AAA’s forecast shows the holiday will remain overwhelmingly car-based, with more than 39 million people expected to drive. (abcnews.com) That concentration on highways comes as gas prices are running above $4.50 a gallon nationally, ABC News reported, citing AAA and GasBuddy data as of May 10. (cbsnews.com) ABC News also reported that Memorial Day road traffic is expected to build around the same travel window that airlines are preparing for peak loads, which could compress congestion around airport corridors and major getaway routes. ### What are the Smokies telling visitors before the weekend starts? (newsroom.aaa.com) Great Smoky Mountains National Park said on May 18 that anyone planning a trip over the holiday weekend should expect crowds, traffic congestion and limited parking. The park said parking is first-come, first-served and fills early at popular sites including Alum Cave Trail, Abrams Falls Trail, Rainbow Falls Trail and Kuwohi. (abcnews.com) The park told visitors to use only designated parking spots and said illegally parked vehicles can block emergency access and damage park resources. Great Smoky Mountains is the most visited national park in the United States, according to the park’s own planning page. ### What should travelers watch in the next few days? (nps.gov) Thursday, May 21, and Friday, May 22, are the dates airlines have identified as their peak Memorial Day travel days, with Delta pointing to Thursday and American to Friday. Travelers heading into Great Smoky Mountains National Park can check the park’s conditions and closures pages for road, trail and facility updates before arriving. (abcnews.com) (nps.gov)