Record Travel Anticipated for Memorial Day Weekend
This Memorial Day weekend, approximately 45 million Americans are expected to travel at least 50 miles, despite increasing fuel and airfare costs, as noted in the American Automobile Association’s (AAA) holiday forecast.
About 3.66 million people are expected to fly during the holiday. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has predicted that Thursday, May 21 will see the most air traffic throughout the weekend.
Delta Air Lines plans to operate over 25,600 flights from Thursday, May 25 through Monday, with Thursday being the busiest travel day. Meanwhile, American Airlines anticipates Friday, May 22 will have the largest passenger count.
According to AAA’s booking data, popular travel destinations include Orlando, New York City, Las Vegas, Miami, and San Francisco for domestic travelers. Internationally, cities like Rome, Vancouver, Paris, and London are in high demand.
Most travelers are likely to drive to their destinations, with AAA estimating that around 39.1 million will choose road trips. An additional 2.2 million will utilize other forms of transportation, like buses, trains, and cruises.
Traffic analysts at INRIX have advised that drivers prepare for heavy delays, especially on Friday, May 22 and during return travel on Monday, May 25. The worst congestion is expected between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m., with INRIX recommending that drivers hit the road before 10 a.m., as peak traffic is predicted between noon and 5 p.m.
As for fuel prices, motorists face higher costs this year. The national average price for a gallon of regular gasoline is currently $4.52, a notable increase from last year’s average of $3.17, marking the highest prices during this holiday season since summer 2022.
Tiffany Wright, a spokesperson for AAA, remarked, “Memorial Day travel remains at record levels, but the growth from last year is the smallest in over a decade. While demand is strong, rising fuel prices and inflation might lead some to cut trips short or stay closer to home.”
Debbie Haas, AAA’s vice president of travel, added, “This year’s travel costs are complex. Early bookers may have found cheaper airfares, but increasing fuel prices pressure costs upwards. Working with a travel agent can help travelers secure the best deals and maximize their travel budget.”
Interestingly, despite the escalating gas prices, domestic round-trip airfares are actually 6% lower than last year, averaging around $800, as per AAA.
