AAA projects a record-setting 45 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home for Memorial Day between Thursday, May 21 and Monday, May 25. Road and air travel are both expected to set records, with 39.1 million travelers driving and 3.66 million flying to their destinations.
“Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer, and for most Americans, it’s a three-day weekend,” said Jillian Young, director of public relations for AAA Northeast. “Despite higher fuel prices, many people continue to prioritize leisure travel during holiday breaks.”
Memorial Day Travelers by Mode of Transportation
By Car
AAA projects 39.1 million people will travel by car over Memorial Day weekend, a slight jump over last year. Driving is the most popular way to travel, accounting for 87% of travelers. This holiday weekend, drivers are paying more at the pump compared to last year. The national average for a gallon of regular gas as of May 11 is $4.52, up $1.39 from last year.
With a record number of travelers on the road this holiday weekend, AAA reminds drivers to put safety first, Slow Down, Move Over and drive sober. Before hitting the road, check your car’s battery, tire pressure and fluids. Last Memorial Day weekend, AAA responded to over 300,000 emergency roadside assistance calls nationwide to help drivers with issues like dead batteries, flat tires and empty fuel tanks.
For travelers who are renting cars over the holiday weekend, AAA’s car rental partner, Hertz, says Thursday and Friday are expected to be the busiest pickup days.
By Air
AAA projects 3.66 million travelers will take domestic flights over Memorial Day weekend, another small increase over last year. Air travelers make up 8% of the share of travelers this holiday weekend.
By Other Modes
Travel by other modes is expected to increase by 5%, with 2.2 million people traveling by bus, train or cruise. The popularity of Alaska cruises is helping drive this category’s growth, with peak Alaska cruise season kicking off this time of year.
AAA’s Top Memorial Day Weekend Destinations
Memorial Day weekend travelers are taking trips to theme parks and famous landmarks, boarding cruises in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska, and flying to Europe to visit iconic capital cities. Here are the top 10 domestic and international destinations, based on AAA booking data.
| Ranking | Domestic | International |
| 1 | Orlando | Rome, Italy |
| 2 | Seattle | Vancouver, Canada |
| 3 | New York City | Paris, France |
| 4 | Las Vegas | London, England |
| 5 | Miami | Athens, Greece |
| 6 | San Francisco | Dublin, Ireland |
| 7 | Anchorage | Barcelona, Spain |
| 8 | Chicago | Southampton, England |
| 9 | Denver | Amsterdam, the Netherlands |
| 10 | Boston | Edinburgh, Scotland |
Best and Worst Times to Drive
Drivers should expect the heaviest congestion on Thursday and Friday between 3 and 6 p.m., and Monday afternoon, according to transportation data and insights provider, INRIX. Sunday should be the lightest day for traffic, barring any unexpected events on the road.
| Best and Worst Times to Travel by Car | ||
| Date | Worst Time | Best Time |
| Thursday, May 21 | 12 to 9 p.m. | After 9 p.m. |
| Friday, May 22 | 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. | Before 11 a.m. |
| Saturday, May 23 | 12 to 5 p.m. | Before 11 a.m. |
| Sunday, May 24 | Minimal Traffic Impact Expected | |
| Monday, May 25 | 12 to 5 p.m. | Before 10 a.m. |
Last updated on May 11, 2026 by AAA Staff
Based in Rhode Island, Jillian Young is AAA Northeast’s director of public relations. She regularly appears in local TV, radio and print media to discuss traffic safety, travel, insurance and more.
