An estimated 45 million Americans traveled at least 50 miles from home over Memorial Day weekend, according to the American Automobile Association. Despite higher travel costs across gas, airfare, and lodging, the holiday is projected to set a new record for travel volume.
Air Travel Reaches New Highs
AAA estimated that about 3.66 million people flew domestically over the holiday weekend, a slight increase from last year.
The most popular U.S. destinations include Orlando, Seattle, New York City, Las Vegas, Miami, and San Francisco. International travelers are most frequently heading to Rome, Vancouver, Paris, and London.
Airlines are also preparing for heavy demand. American Airlines reported that Friday, May 22, would be its busiest travel day of the holiday period. The airline also expects this summer to be its busiest on record, with July 17 projected as its peak travel day.
According to AAA data, the average round-trip domestic airfare for Memorial Day weekend is about $800 — roughly 6% lower than last year — largely due to earlier bookings before fuel price increases fully took effect.
Road Trips Dominate Holiday Travel
Most travelers drove to their destinations. AAA projected 39.1 million people traveled by car, accounting for roughly 87% of all Memorial Day travelers.
Drivers are facing higher fuel costs compared with last year. The national average for regular gasoline has recently been above $4.50 per gallon, according to AAA and GasBuddy. That is significantly higher than last Memorial Day, when the average was about $3.17 per gallon.
Industry analysts note that while fuel prices fluctuate based on global supply conditions and seasonal demand, travel demand has remained strong heading into the holiday weekend.
Best and Worst Times to Travel
Traffic analysts at INRIX recommended planning carefully to avoid peak congestion:
Heading out:
- Best times: before 11 a.m. on Friday, May 22
- Worst congestion: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday afternoon into evening
Returning home:
- Best times: before 10 a.m. on Monday, May 25
- Worst congestion: noon to 5 p.m. Monday afternoon
Some travel experts also suggest that late Thursday departures or early Saturday morning trips may help avoid the heaviest traffic altogether.
Other Travel Modes Also Rising
Travel by bus, train, and cruise is expected to increase by about 5.3%, reaching roughly 2.2 million travelers. Growth in this category is being driven in part by the start of the Alaska cruise season.
Helpful Travel Tips
To help make travel smoother and more affordable, consider the following:
- Book fuel stops strategically: Gas prices can vary significantly by region. Use fuel price apps before long drives.
- Travel off-peak when possible: Even shifting departure times by a few hours can significantly reduce delays.
- Plan rest stops ahead of time: Highways and popular corridors will likely see heavier-than-normal congestion.
- Check airport wait times early: Arriving earlier than usual can help offset longer security lines during peak travel days.
- Pack flexibility into your schedule: Weather delays, traffic, and congestion are more likely during peak holiday periods.
- Monitor airfare trends for future trips: Prices for peak holidays often rise sharply closer to departure dates.
Outlook
Even with fuel prices and travel expenses climbing, Americans are still making holiday trips a priority.
“Despite higher fuel prices, many people are prioritizing leisure travel during holiday breaks,” Stacey Barber of AAA said.
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