AAA says a record-setting 2.5 million Floridians will travel for Memorial Day Weekend next week

Nearly 44 million will travel nationally; the most in nearly two decades

If you are headed out on a road trip next week for the extended Memorial Day holiday weekend, pack clothes, snacks … and your patience.

Floridians are forecast to travel in record numbers for this year’s Memorial Day weekend. AAA forecasts more than 2.5 million Floridians will journey 50 miles or more, with 2.3 million of them headed on the roads. That’s 126,500 more holiday travelers than the previous high, which was set last year.

“Memorial Day will be the start to a very busy summer of travel,” said Debbie Haas, Vice President of Travel for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “American travelers are forecast to surpass pre-pandemic levels, making this the busiest Memorial Day holiday weekend in nearly two decades. The main driver of the projection is strong consumer interest in traveling both domestically and abroad. Interest in traveling internationally is at the highest level in recent years.”

“Traveling by car is appealing for many people because of the convenience and flexibility it provides,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “However, that holiday road trip may cost more at the gas pump this year.”

During last year’s holiday weekend, Florida gas prices averaged $3.41 per gallon. Right now, the Florida average is around $3.49 per gallon. Airfares are also up slightly from this time last year, AAA noted.

“Drivers should expect continued volatility at the pump as the summer driving season ramps up,” Jenkins said. “The wildcard remains the cost of oil. And unlike last year, there are now two wars – in the Middle East and Ukraine – which have the ability to roil the oil market at any time.”