AAA Predicts Highest Number of Memorial Day Travelers in Nearly 20 Years

As the unofficial start of summer
approaches, AAA projects that nearly 44 million travelers in the United
States are gearing up to hit the road for the Memorial
Day holiday weekend. This forecast marks the second-highest number of
Memorial Day holiday travelers since AAA began tracking data in 2000, nearly
matching 2005’s record of 44 million.

“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.” 

By Road

The majority of travelers—approximately 38.4 million—are
expected to embark on road trips, with that number setting a new record high for
Memorial Day travel by car since AAA began data tracking 24 years ago. This
figure represents a four percent increase over last year and a 1.9 percent rise
compared to 2019. 

This Memorial Day weekend will likely see similar gas
prices to what drivers paid during the same period in 2023, when the national
average was about $3.57 per gallon. And, although pump prices have remained
relatively steady in recent weeks, they may experience a slight increase as the
summer driving season commences. Of course, this will be determined by the cost
of oil, which continues to be influenced by such factors as the current
geopolitical crises in regions like the Middle East and Ukraine.

Passengers seated inside of a commercial airplane cabin. (Photo Credit: Adobe Stock/kasto)

By Air

Airports are also anticipating a surge in passengers,
with an estimated 3.51 million travelers expected to take to the skies, marking
a 4.8 percent increase over 2023 and nine percent growth compared to
pre-pandemic 2019. That will make this the busiest Memorial Day weekend for air
travel since 2005, when 3.64 million boarded planes as the sector rebounded post-9/11. 

While domestic airfare
prices will come with a nominal increase of one to two percent compared to last
year, various factors, including as destination, number of stops and cabin
class, will always produce a wide variance in ticket costs.

By…Everything Else

Besides flying and
driving, nearly two million individuals are projected to opt for alternative
modes of transportation, such as buses, trains and cruise ships. AAA predicts 1.9
million people will get away using these other forms of transportation,
representing a 5.6 percent increase compared to last Memorial Day weekend. 

“This category
took the biggest hit during the pandemic with fewer people taking public
transportation or not cruising at all,” Twidale said. “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.” 

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