AAA Forecasts 45.1 Million Americans to Travel Over Memorial Day Holiday
The American Automobile Association (AAA) predicts that 45.1 million individuals will travel at least 50 miles from their homes during the Memorial Day holiday, from Thursday, May 22 to Monday, May 26. The forecast shows an increase of 1.4 million travelers compared to last year and sets a new record for Memorial Day weekend travel. The previous record was established in 2005 with 44 million people traveling.
Reasons for Increased Travel
Even though there are concerns over rising costs, many Americans are still planning to take advantage of the long holiday weekend to spend time with their loved ones. According to AAA, Memorial Day weekend getaways do not necessarily have to be extravagant or expensive. Many families choose to drive to the beach or visit friends, especially as many people have an extra day off work and students are on break from school.
Mode of Transportation
By Car: AAA estimates 39.4 million people will travel by car over the holiday weekend, an increase of one million travelers compared to last year. Road trips are the preferred mode of transportation during holiday periods, with 87% of Memorial Day travelers opting for this method. This year, drivers will benefit from lower gas prices than the previous year, thanks to reduced crude oil prices.
By Air: Airports are also preparing for a busy holiday weekend. AAA projects 3.61 million air passengers, a nearly 2% increase over last year. This year’s numbers are expected to surpass pre-pandemic levels by 12%. Although air travel is not expected to reach the record set in 2005, domestic flights are reported to be 2% more expensive than last year, with the average round-trip ticket costing $850.
By Other Modes: Travel by other modes, such as trains, buses, or cruises, continues to rise post-pandemic. AAA predicts that 2.08 million people will travel by these modes over the Memorial Day weekend, an 8.5% increase over last year. While these figures do not reach the record numbers of the early 2000s, they are surpassing pre-pandemic numbers from 2018 and 2019.
Cruises Gain Popularity
Cruising has become increasingly popular, with Fairbanks, Anchorage, and Juneau as the top domestic cruise destinations for Memorial Day weekend. Earlier this year, AAA projected a record 19 million Americans would take cruises in 2025, highlighting the growing demand for this type of travel.
