Memorial Day Weekend Travel Projections, According To AAA
This year is flying by fast, and Memorial Day weekend is quickly approaching. That means a busy travel weekend ahead. In fact, AAA projects 43.8 million travelers will head 50 miles or more from home over the Memorial Day holiday travel period. They said this year’s total number of travelers is a 4% increase over last year and comes close to matching 2005’s record of 44 million Memorial Day travelers.
“We haven’t seen Memorial Day weekend travel numbers like these in almost 20 years,” said Paula Twidale, Senior Vice President of AAA Travel. “We’re projecting an additional one million travelers this holiday weekend compared to 2019, which not only means we’re exceeding pre-pandemic levels but also signals a very busy summer travel season ahead.”
Memorial Day Weekend Travel Projections
Many people will be traveling by car for the holiday weekend, according to AAA. The number of drivers this year is up 4% compared to last year and 1.9% higher than in 2019. The company’s car rental partner Hertz says Orlando, Denver, Atlanta, Boston, and Las Vegas are the cities displaying the highest rental demand, with the busiest pick-up days projected to be Thursday, May 23, and Friday, May 24.
The Best and Worst Times to Drive
INRIX, a provider of transportation data and insights, says drivers leaving Thursday or Friday should hit the road early to avoid mixing with commuters. Travelers going back home on Sunday or Monday should avoid the afternoon hours when return trips will peak.
Gas Prices
AAA says that this holiday weekend, drivers can expect similar gas prices as last year when the national average was roughly $3.57. “Pump prices rose this spring but have held somewhat steady in recent weeks. Prices may creep higher as the summer driving season gets underway,” they said.
Airports will be seeing a busy weekend as well. AAA expects 3.51 million air travelers this holiday weekend, an increase of 4.8% over last year and a 9% jump compared to 2019. “This will be the most crowded Memorial Day weekend at airports since 2005 when 3.64 million flew for the holiday as the travel industry finally rebounded post 9/11,” they said.
How Else Are People Traveling?
Nearly two million people are expected to travel by other modes of transportation, including buses, cruises, and trains. AAA projects 1.9 million people will take these other modes of transportation, an increase of 5.6% compared to last year.
“This category took the biggest hit during the pandemic with fewer people taking public transportation or not cruising at all,” said Paula Twidale, Senior Vice President of AAA Travel. “Now – five years later – we’re back to 2019 numbers. Travel demand has been soaring, and long holiday weekends create the perfect windows for getaways.”
Take a look at more Memorial Day weekend travel projections and insights here.
