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2d ago

Memorial Day Travel to Hit Record 45.1 Million, AAA Reports

Lower gas prices and strong leisure demand drive record-breaking projections for the holiday weekend, with road trips dominating travel preferences.

Travelers passing through San Antonio International Airport on Memorial Day weekend in 2023 leave an assortment of gifts for guitarist Owen Graham.
Visitors walk through the Mission Gate and Lunette exhibit at Alamo Plaza during Memorial Day weekend in 2023.  
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Overview

  • AAA forecasts 45.1 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles over Memorial Day weekend, surpassing the 2005 record of 44 million travelers.
  • Road trips remain the most popular choice, with 39.4 million people expected to drive, accounting for 87% of all travelers.
  • Air travel is projected to rise 2% year-over-year to 3.61 million passengers, though it will not surpass its 2005 record levels.
  • Gas prices have dropped to an average of $3.13 per gallon nationwide, down from $3.59 last year, contributing to the surge in road travel.
  • AAA and INRIX recommend traveling in the mornings to avoid peak congestion, with afternoons expected to see the heaviest traffic in major metropolitan areas.