What to expect this Memorial Day weekend: Travel forecast and advice
AAA forecasts heavy road and air traffic this Memorial Day weekend, with 39.4 million travelers driving and 3.61 million flying nationwide.
A record number of Americans are getting ready to travel this Memorial Day - either by air or by car - as the first major long weekend of summer approaches. AAA is predicting a record 45 million Americans will take a trip of at least 50 miles from home between May 22 and May 26, eclipsing the previous record set in 2005.
Road trips will be the mode of travel for the holiday, with just under 40 million travelers driving to their destinations. Experts recommend avoiding heavy travel times, suggesting to leave early on Friday before 11 a.m. and returning home before 2 p.m. on Monday to miss the worst traffic.
What to expect this Memorial Day weekend?
Here's what you need to know:
Road travel:
AAA predicts that 39.4 million Americans will travel by car during the long weekend.
According to analytics company INRIX, if you are driving out on Friday, the best time to leave will be before 11 a.m.
As for Monday, INRIX offers the advice to leave before 2 p.m. For Monday, the worst time to be on the road will be from around 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., said INRIX.
Air travel:
AAA predicts about 3.61 million people will travel by air during this period - nearly a 2% increase from last year. Airfares have increased about 2% over 2020 for the average round-trip ticket price of an estimated $850. American Airlines is expecting its highest number of travelers on May 22 and 23 - with 6,741 departures each day.
Some of the most popular domestic destinations include Orlando, Seattle, New York City, Las Vegas, Miami, and San Francisco. International travelers are mainly going to Rome, Vancouver, Paris, and London this year. Hawaii is going to be the most expensive locale for this holiday, but families can also look to Kissimmee (FL), Jacksonville (FL), Louisville (KY), Albuquerque (NM), Houston, Minneapolis, and Fort Worth (TX) for hotels.
This will be the first holiday since the REAL ID requirement for domestic flights became effective on May 7, 2025. For travelers without a REAL ID, you can still travel, but will be subject to additional security screening, said Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to ABC News.
Travelers will also want to check Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey for continued delays. This is due to a combination of technical issues, runway construction, and chronic staffing issues.
