Overview

• AAA forecasts 45.1 million Americans will travel over Memorial Day weekend, surpassing the 2005 record of 44 million travelers.
• An estimated 39.4 million travelers will drive, while 3.61 million are expected to fly, reflecting a strong preference for road trips.
• National gas prices are projected to average $3.08 per gallon, the lowest for Memorial Day in recent years, with Southern California prices 50–60 cents cheaper than last year.
• Top destinations for travelers include New York, Orlando, Denver, Seattle, and Chicago, while Southern Californians favor Las Vegas, San Diego, and the Grand Canyon.
• Travelers are advised to avoid peak congestion times, particularly Thursday and Friday afternoons, with some routes expected to see travel times increase by over 80%.