AAA forecasts that more than 43.8 million travelers will head more than 80 miles from home during the Memorial Day holiday travel period from Thursday, May 23 to Monday, May 27. Become.
This year's total expected number of travelers is up 4% from last year and on track to match the 2005 Memorial Day travel record of 44 million.
“We haven't seen this many Memorial Day weekend visitors in the last 20 years,” said Lori Weaver Hawkins, public relations manager for AAA Bluegrass. “AAA predicts that the number of travelers this weekend will increase by an additional 1 million people compared to 2019. This not only means we are above pre-pandemic levels, but also a very busy summer. It means the travel season is here.”
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It is expected that a record will be set on the road trip. AAA predicts that 38.4 million people will travel by car over Memorial Day weekend. This is the highest number for the holiday since AAA began tracking him in 2000. The number of drivers this year is up 4% compared to last year and 1.9% compared to 2019. Traveling by car is attractive to many people because of its convenience and flexibility. AAA Rental Car His partner Hertz says Orlando, Denver, Atlanta, Boston and Las Vegas are the cities with the highest rental demand, and the busiest pickup days are Thursday, May 23rd and Friday, May 24th. It is expected that
Drivers this Memorial Day weekend can expect gas prices similar to last year, when the national average was about $3.57. Pump prices rose this spring but have remained somewhat stable in recent weeks. As the summer driving season begins, prices may start to creep up. The wild card remains oil prices, and unlike last year, there are now two wars going on in the Middle East and Ukraine, which could disrupt the oil market.
Airports are preparing for a surge in travellers. AAA predicts 3.51 million air travelers will travel this holiday weekend, an increase of 4.8% from last year and 9% from 2019. This will be the airport's busiest Memorial Day weekend since 2005, when 3.64 million people took to the air this holiday. After 9/11, the industry finally recovered. This Memorial Day weekend, airline ticket prices are about the same as last year. According to AAA booking data, domestic flight prices have increased by 1% to 2%. Several factors affect how much a traveler pays for airfare, including destination, number of stops, and fare class. For example, a passenger who books a non-stop flight that includes seat selection and carry-on baggage may pay more than a passenger who chooses basic economy with a layover.
Nearly 2 million people are expected to travel using other modes of transportation, including buses, cruises and trains. AAA predicts that 1.9 million people will use these other modes of transportation, which is an increase of 5.6% compared to last year. “This category has been hit the hardest during the pandemic, with fewer people using public transportation or not taking cruises at all,” Weaver-Hawkins said. “Five years later, we're back to 2019 numbers. Demand for travel is surging, making long holiday weekends the perfect opportunity to vacation.”
Best and worst times to drive and peak congestion
INRIX, which provides traffic data and insights, said drivers leaving on Thursday or Friday should hit the roads early to avoid mixing with commuters. Travelers returning on Sunday or Monday should avoid the afternoon hours, when round-trip travel is at its peak.
“Travel times are expected to be up to 90% longer than normal. Travelers should stay informed with transit apps, 511 services, local news stations, and more,” said Bob Picheux, transportation analyst at INRIX. “We need to avoid sitting in traffic any longer than necessary.”
Please note that the times listed above are for the time zone where the metro is located. For example, Atlanta route = ET, Los Angeles route = PT. (Statistics provided by INRIX. Click for larger image)
This Memorial Day weekend, travelers are looking for theme parks and entertainment venues in Orlando, New York, Las Vegas, and Southern California. Alaska cruises are popular this time of year, so Seattle, Anchorage, and Vancouver top the list. Florida beaches and cruise ports will also be crowded.
European cities dominate the international list. The top 10 domestic and international destinations below are based on AAA reservations data.
Top Memorial Day Destinations in 2024, according to AAA Reservations Data
AAA Bluegrass
