AAA projected 43.8 million travelers would journey 50 miles or more from home over the Memorial Day weekend, a 4% increase from last year and nearing the 2005 record of 44 million. Paula Twidale, Senior Vice President of AAA Travel, noted that these numbers mark a return to pre-pandemic levels and signal a busy summer travel season ahead.
Road trips are expected to set a new record with 38.4 million people traveling by car, a 4% rise from last year and 1.9% higher than in 2019. Major cities like Orlando, Denver, Atlanta, Boston, and Las Vegas showed the highest demand for car rentals, with the busiest pick-up days projected to be May 23 and 24. Gas prices are expected to remain similar to last year’s average of $3.57 per gallon, though they may increase with the summer driving season.
Airports are preparing for a significant increase in travelers, with 3.51 million people expected to fly, a 4.8% increase over last year. This will be the busiest Memorial Day weekend for air travel since 2005. Nearly two million travelers are anticipated to use buses, cruises, and trains, a 5.6% increase from last year. INRIX advised travelers to hit the road early and stay informed on traffic conditions to avoid delays.
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