AAA: 42.3 million Americans are expected to travel on Memorial Day weekend

Virginia Beach – More Americans will travel this Memorial Day weekend, AAA estimates 42.3 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home, an increase of 7% in 2022.

“This is expected to be the third busiest Memorial Day weekend since 2000, when AAA began tracking holiday travel,” said Paula Tweedle, AAA senior vice president of travel. “More Americans are planning and booking trips in advance despite inflation. This summer travel season could be one for the record books, especially at airports.

Statistics shared by AAA show that nearly 3.4 million passengers are expected to fly this Memorial Day weekend, an 11 percent increase over last year and above pre-pandemic levels. Despite higher ticket prices, 170,000 more passengers – or 5.4% more than in 2019 – could make the airports the busiest since 2005.

Road trips are also up 6% from last year, with 37.1 million Americans predicted to drive to their destination, an increase of more than 2 million, but shy of pre-pandemic numbers. Gas prices are lower this holiday, AAA notes, compared to last year when the national average was more than $4 a gallon.

More people – 1.85 million – are expected to take other modes of transport such as buses and trains, a 20.6% increase from 2022.

Best/worst times to travel and peak congestion on the metro

According to AAA, INRIX, a provider of transportation information and insights, expects Friday, May 26 to be the busiest day on the roads during the long Memorial Day weekend. The best time to drive is early morning or after 6pm, he said, with Saturdays and Sundays being the lightest traffic days. Major metro areas may see travel times double compared to normal.

“With lower gas prices and more travelers on the road compared to last year, drivers should expect long delays this holiday weekend, especially in and around major metros as commuters mix with Memorial Day travelers,” said Bob Pishu, transportation analyst at INRIX. “Knowing when and where congestion occurs can help drivers avoid the stress of sitting in traffic. Our advice is to avoid driving on time or use alternative routes.”

Top destinations

AAA booking data shows Orlando, New York City and Las Vegas as the top domestic destinations. Cruise port cities in Florida and Alaska, as well as Seattle, are high on the list. AAA has seen a 50% increase in domestic cruises compared to last year.

Twidall added: “We’re seeing demand for amenities in popular cities, international vacation packages and cruises that offer more value for money.

Travelers are paying more for Memorial Day trips this year, AAA said, citing increases in airline ticket prices. According to AAA booking data, airfares have increased by 40% to top destinations this year.

International travel bookings will exceed 250% this holiday weekend 2022. European cities are proving to be the most popular, and international car rental has increased by more than 80%, with the AAA report almost doubling the international driver’s license. Passport delivery service RushMyPassport says it is seeing unprecedented numbers for expedited passport and visa services.