AAA says a record 45 million Americans are expected to travel over Memorial Day weekend this year, a sign that demand for leisure travel remains strong even as fuel prices continue climbing and broader affordability concerns persist.
The travel group projects 39.1 million people will drive during the five-day holiday period from May 21-25, while another 3.66 million are expected to fly. Overall travel volume is projected to edge past last year’s holiday total and set a new Memorial Day weekend record.
The forecast highlights a consumer economy that continues to show resilience in some areas, even as households face mounting pressure from higher costs tied to transportation, housing, insurance, and everyday necessities.
AAA acknowledged that drivers are paying significantly more for gasoline than they were a year ago, with national pump prices now at their highest levels since the summer of 2022. Still, the organization says Americans appear unwilling to scale back holiday travel plans despite the added expense.
That dynamic has become increasingly common across the broader economy, where consumer spending on travel and entertainment has remained relatively strong even while many households express growing concern about affordability.
AAA’s forecast is also based heavily on booking data and broader economic modeling, meaning it reflects expected travel demand rather than confirmed travel behavior. Forecasts in recent years have generally trended upward as post-pandemic travel habits stabilized and consumer appetite for vacations rebounded.
The organization said flight prices were about 6% cheaper for travelers who booked early, though AAA noted many of those bookings occurred before rising jet fuel prices began affecting airfare.
The top domestic destinations this Memorial Day include Orlando, Seattle, New York City, Las Vegas, and Miami. Internationally, Rome ranked first, followed by Vancouver, Paris, London, and Athens.
Traffic analytics company INRIX warned that congestion could be especially severe Thursday and Friday afternoons before the holiday, as well as Monday during the return trip home. In some metro areas, projected travel times are expected to more than double compared to normal traffic patterns.
AAA also used the release to push standard road safety reminders, noting that roadside crews responded to more than 350,000 calls during last year’s Memorial Day weekend for issues including dead batteries, flat tires, and empty fuel tanks.
The bigger question, however, may be what continued record travel says about the modern American consumer — particularly at a moment when many people simultaneously report financial strain while continuing to prioritize discretionary spending on experiences and vacations.
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