‘More than 38 million people traveling by car:’ Travels numbers record according AAA

(WSET) — AAA has projected a new travel record will be set this Memorial Day, with almost 44 million folks set to travel.

Morgan Dean, with AAA, said the most popular way to travel is by car.

“But, when we break it down and actually look at auto travel, we are looking at more than 38 million people traveling by car, for the holiday. That’s the highest number we have ever seen for Memorial Day,” Dean said.

Deans said the big days of auto travel will be Thursday and Friday. He said to avoid the midday period and try to travel before 11:00 a.m. or leave after 7:00 p.m.

These numbers are larger than how many folks traveled before the pandemic.

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“We are looking at higher than pre-pandemic numbers, with this year’s forecast,” Dean said.

Dean said airports are expected to be the busiest they’ve been in 19 years. AAA is projecting 3.5 million people to fly, during the holidays.

Dean said folks will be flying to a couple of major destinations, within the United States.

“Orlando, Florida, Seattle, Washington, New York, New York, Las Veda, Nevada, and Los Angeles, California,” Dean said.

AAA Mid-Atlantic will release the Memorial Day forecast for Virginia travelers coming up on Monday, May 20.