Summer travel is soaring this Memorial Day weekend: AAA projects 43.8 million travelers will head 50 miles or more from home over the Memorial Day holiday travel period of May 23-27. This year’s total number of travelers constitutes a 4% increase over last year and exceeds pre-pandemic levels for the first time.
“We’re expecting to see plenty of traffic on the roads and in the skies this Memorial Day weekend,” said Mark Schieldrop, Senior Spokesperson for AAA Northeast. “We’re projecting an additional 1 million travelers this holiday weekend compared to 2019, which not only means that we’re moving beyond pandemic-era lulls but also signals a very busy summer travel season ahead.”
Modes of Travel
Road trips are expected to set a record this year. AAA projects 38.4 million people will travel by car over Memorial Day weekend, the highest number for the holiday since AAA began tracking in 2000. The number of drivers this year is up 4% compared to last year and 1.9% higher than in 2019.
Airports are also bracing for a spike in travelers: AAA expects 3.51 million air travelers this holiday weekend, an increase of 4.8% over last year and a 9% jump compared to 2019.
Nearly 2 million people are expected to travel by other modes of transportation, including buses, trains and cruises. AAA projects 1.9 million people will take these other modes of transportation, an increase of 5.6% over last year.
Best and Worst Times to Drive
Drivers leaving Thursday or Friday should expect the heaviest traffic during the afternoon, when travelers mix with commuters, according to data from transportation analytics company INRIX. Travelers going back home on Sunday or Monday should avoid the afternoon hours when return trips will likely peak.
| Date | Worst Travel Time | Best Travel Time |
| Thursday, May 23 | Noon – 6 p.m. | Before 11 a.m., after 7 p.m. |
| Friday, May 24 | Noon – 7 p.m. | Before 11 a.m., after 8 p.m. |
| Saturday, May 25 | 2 p.m. – 5 p.m. | Before 1 p.m., after 6 p.m. |
| Sunday, May 26 | 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. | Before 1 p.m. |
| Monday, May 27 | 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. | After 7 p.m. |
Top Destinations
AAA booking data for Memorial Day weekend shows travelers are seeking theme parks and entertainment venues in Orlando, Fla.; New York City; Las Vegas; and Southern California. Seattle; Anchorage, Alaska; and Vancouver, British Columbia, rank high for visitors due to the popularity of Alaska cruises this time of year. Florida beaches and cruise ports will also be packed.
AAA car rental partner Hertz reports that cities boasting the highest rental demand this Memorial Day weekend are Orlando, Denver, Atlanta, Boston and Las Vegas.
On the international front, European cities dominate in popularity this Memorial Day weekend. The top 10 domestic and international destinations below are based on AAA booking data.
| Top Domestic Destinations | Top International Destinations |
| Orlando, Fla. | Rome |
| Seattle | Vancouver |
| New York City | London |
| Las Vegas | Paris |
| Anaheim/Los Angeles | Dublin |
| Denver | Amsterdam |
| Anchorage, Alaska | Athens, Greece |
| Fort Lauderdale, Fla. | Barcelona, Spain |
| Miami | St. George, Bermuda |
| Boston | Edinburgh, Scotland |
Best Times to Book Summer Travel
If travelers want their choice of options for summer travel, now is the best time to book. With this year’s near record high demand, waiting too long to book can result in limited inventory and sold-out cruises, tours or direct flights.
For travelers who may be more flexible in their destinations, flight routes or trip timing, booking closer to departure can sometimes yield last-minute deals. However, given higher demand this year, AAA travel advisors suggest booking summer vacations with plenty of time to ensure travelers have the most options to choose from.
Start making your summer travel plans with a AAA travel advisor.
Where are you headed Memorial Day weekend? Tell us in the comments.
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