AAA projects that 39.3 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more away from home this Memorial Day weekend. That is one million more travelers than last year taking to the roads, skies, rails and water, creating the highest Memorial Day travel volume since 2005.
“The expected spike in Memorial Day travel mirrors the positive growth seen throughout the travel industry this year,” said Jim Lehman, President of AAA East Central. “Pent up demand following an election year and an improved economy have contributed to the record-breaking number of travelers who indicate they plan to kick off the summer with a much-deserved vacation this year.”
The Memorial Day holiday travel period is defined as Thursday, May 25 to Monday, May 29.
East South Central region* Memorial Day Forecast Highlights:
- Memorial Day travelers will total 2.06 million, an increase of 1.7 percent from the 2.02 million in 2016.
- 1.8 million will travel by automobile, up 1.2 percent from 1.7 million in 2016.
- 171,000 people will fly to their destinations, up 7.7 percent from 159,000 in 2016.
- 78,000 people will use other modes (bus, train, boat, etc.), the same as in 2016.
*East South Central region includes Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, and Mississippi.
Travelers are still hitting the road despite higher gas prices
While AAA expects most U.S. drivers will pay the highest Memorial Day gas prices since 2015, the vast majority of holiday travelers (88.1 percent) are still planning to hit the road. Automobile travel will grow by 2.4 percent across America this Memorial Day, with 34.6 million people planning a holiday road trip. The national average price for a gallon of gas today is $2.34, 12 cents more than last year.
More Americans are planning to rent cars for their holiday road trips this year. According to Hertz, the busiest day for car rental pick-ups is expected to be Friday, May 26, based on last year’s data.
Large increases in flying and travel by other modes this Memorial Day
While road trips continue to reign supreme for Memorial Day, more Americans will fly, ride the train or bus, or take a cruise vacation compared to last year. Air travel is expected to increase nationally by 5.5 percent over last year, with 2.9 million across America taking to the skies this Memorial Day. Travel by other modes of transportation, including cruises, trains and buses, will increase 2.9 percent, to 1.75 million travelers.