Nearly 45 million Americans prepare for Memorial Day weekend getaways

AAA projects 45 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles for Memorial Day between Thursday, May 21 and Monday, May 25. This year’s domestic travel forecast is slightly higher than last year and sets a new Memorial Day weekend record with 39.1 million people traveling by car and 3.66 million people expected to fly to their destinations and 2.2 million people using other modes of transportation. While gas prices are higher than last Memorial Day weekend, average ticket prices for flights are lower than last year for those who booked early.

“Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer, and for most Americans, it’s a three-day weekend,” says Stacey Barber, vice president of AAA Travel. “Travel demand remains strong, and despite higher fuel prices, many people are prioritizing leisure travel during holiday breaks.”

Driving is the most popular way to travel over Memorial Day weekend, making up 87% of the share of Memorial Day travelers. Drivers are planning to pay more at the pump compared with 2025 when the national average for a gallon of regular gasoline was $3.17 on Memorial Day. Currently gas prices are the highest they have been since the summer of 2022.

AAA says there is a small increase in the number of air travelers over Memorial Day weekend compared with last year, with 3.66 million travelers expected to take domestic flights. According to AAA data, which is based on what travelers paid when they booked their Memorial Day weekend trips, roundtrip domestic flights are 6% cheaper compared with last year, with an average ticket costing $800. Most of these trips were booked before rising jet fuel prices started affecting airfare.

Travel by other modes is also expected to go up 5%, with 2.2 million people traveling by bus, train or cruise over Memorial Day weekend. Alaska cruise season has kicked off, and AAA says the popularity of Alaska cruises is a driving factor in this category’s growth.

Memorial Day weekend travelers are taking trips to theme parks and famous landmarks as well as boarding cruises in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska. Top domestic travel destinations for Memorial Day travel this year include: