This year’s Memorial Day weekend travel could be highest since 2005, AAA says
BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) — AAA forecasts that Memorial Day weekend travel will be extremely high this year, suggesting drivers hit the road early to avoid being stuck in the morning commute.
AAA expects that 43.8 million travelers will head 50 miles or more from home over the holiday period. According to AAA, this year’s number of travelers is a 4% increase over 2023 and comes close to matching 2005’s record of 44 million Memorial Day travelers.
“We haven’t seen Memorial Day weekend travel numbers like these in almost 20 years,” said Senior Vice President of AAA Travel Paula Twidale. “We’re projecting an additional one million travelers this holiday weekend compared to 2019, which not only means we’re exceeding pre-pandemic levels but also signals a very busy summer travel season ahead.”
AAA officials said 38.4 million people are expected to travel by car and drivers can expect similar gas prices as last year when the national average was roughly $3.57. Officials also believe that 3.51 million people are expected to fly, making airports the most crowded they have been since 2005.
Data shows best & worst times to travel
AAA said that INRIX, a provider of transportation data and insights, advises drivers leaving Thursday or Friday should hit the road early. When returning home, they should avoid afternoon hours when traffic is peak.
Worst travel times by car
Noon to 6 p.m. Thursday, May 23
Noon to 7 p.m. Friday, May 24
2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 25
3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, May 26
3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, May 27
Best travel times by car
Before 11 a.m. or after 7 p.m. Thursday, May 23
Before 11 a.m. or after 8 p.m. Friday, May 24
Before 1 p.m. or after 6 p.m. Saturday, May 25
Before 1 p.m. Sunday, May 26
After 7 p.m. Monday, May 27
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