AAA projects 45.1 million people will travel at least 50 miles from home over the Memorial Day holiday period from Thursday to Monday.

This year’s domestic travel forecast is an increase of 1.4 million travelers compared to last year and would set a new Memorial Day weekend record. The previous record of 44 million people was set in 2005.

Despite concerns over rising prices, many Americans say they’re taking advantage of the long holiday weekend to spend time with loved ones, even if the trips are closer to home.

“Memorial Day is the unofficial kickoff to the summer travel season and the perfect time to plan a getaway with family and friends,” said Theresa Podguski, director of legislative affairs, AAA East Central. “Whether flying hundreds of miles or packing up the car for a quick road trip, long holiday weekends are great for travel because many people have an extra day off and kids are off from school.”

By car

AAA projects 39.4 million people will travel by car over Memorial Day weekend. That’s an additional one million travelers compared to last year.

Driving is the preferred mode of transportation during holiday travel, with 87% of Memorial Day travelers choosing to take road trips. This year, drivers have the benefit of cheaper gas prices.

Last Memorial Day, the national average for a gallon of regular was $3.59. Due to lower crude oil prices, gasoline prices haven’t seen typical seasonal spikes this spring.

With the unofficial start of summer kicking off the busy driving season, demand is expected to rise, and pump prices may creep up along with it.

Gas prices typically peak in the summer and start dropping when schools go back in session in the fall.

By air

Airports are bracing for another bustling holiday weekend. AAA projects 3.61 million air passengers, a nearly 2% increase over last year when 3.55 million travelers took to the skies.

While this Memorial Day weekend isn’t expected to set an air travel record (set in 2005 with 3.64 million travelers), this year’s numbers are projected to surpass pre-pandemic levels by 12%.

AAA booking data (based on what travelers paid when booking Memorial Day weekend flights) shows domestic flights are 2% more expensive than last year, with the average round-trip ticket costing $850. Most of those flights are to popular destinations like Chicago, New York, Orlando, Denver and Seattle.

Other means

Travel by other modes continues to rise steadily after the COVID-19 pandemic.

AAA projects that 2.08 million people will travel by train, bus or cruise over Memorial Day weekend, representing an 8.5% increase from last year.

This category now surpasses pre-pandemic numbers from 2018 and 2019 but doesn’t reach the record numbers of the early 2000s, when more people chose trains and buses after 9/11.

Cruising’s growing popularity is highlighted by the strong demand for Alaska cruises this season.

Top domestic cruise destinations for Memorial Day weekend include Fairbanks, Anchorage and Juneau. Overall, travelers are turning to cruises in record numbers. Earlier this year, AAA projected that a record 19 million Americans planned to take cruises in 2025.

Ways to save

• Gas: Even with gas prices lower than last Memorial Day weekend, drivers are looking to save at the pump. Start by peeking at current prices on the AAA fuel site and use the AAA gas cost calculator to get an idea of how much your road trip will cost. Once on the road, remember that the gas stations right off the interstate are usually the most expensive. If trying to save money, drive a bit farther down the road for cheaper gas. After filling up, avoid speeding. Fuel economy peaks around 50 mph on most cars, then drops off as speeds increase. Reducing highway speeds by 5 to 10 mph can increase fuel economy by as much as 14%.

• Flights: Flexibility is key to scoring cheaper airfare. Booking flights that depart on Tuesdays or return on Wednesdays will save money, since weekend flights tend to be more expensive. If not picky about selecting a seat ahead of time or boarding at the end, basic economy can be an excellent option for budget-conscious travelers. Be sure to read the fine print regarding restrictions. Reserving airport parking in advance can save money. To save money on meals, bring something from home. Just remember beverages are not allowed through security.

• Hotels and rental cars: Where to stay and how to get around are two decisions that should not be put off until the last minute. Reserve hotels and rental cars as soon as travel dates are confirmed. Hotels in prime locations and tourist areas tend to be more expensive than hotels a bit removed from the action. In major cities, consider hotels within walking distance of public transit to save money on transportation. Reserving a rental car early guarantees a better selection of vehicles. To save money, consider the type of vehicle that is needed. Smaller vehicles tend to be more economical and fuel-efficient if traveling with a small group.

Forecast data

In cooperation with AAA, S&P Global Market Intelligence (SPGMI) developed a unique methodology to forecast actual domestic travel volumes. The economic variables used to forecast travel for the current holiday are leveraged from SPGMI’s proprietary databases.

The data include macroeconomic drivers such as employment, output, household net worth, asset prices including stock indexes, interest rates, housing market indicators and variables related to travel and tourism, including gasoline prices, airline travel and hotel stays. AAA and SPGMI have quantified holiday travel volumes going back to 2000.

Because AAA holiday forecasts focus on domestic leisure travel only, comparisons to Transportation Safety Administration passenger screening numbers should not be made.

TSA data includes all passengers traveling on both domestic and international routes, whether traveling for work or leisure. Additionally, TSA screens passengers each time they enter secured areas of the airport, therefore each one-way trip is counted as a passenger tally. AAA focuses on person-trips, which include the full round-trip travel itinerary.

AAA East Central is a not-for-profit association with 69 local offices in Kentucky, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia serving 2.7 million members.