Monday, May 20, 2024 According to AAA projections, more than 43.8 million travellers will head 50 miles or more from home over the Memorial Day holiday travel period from Thursday, May 23 to Monday, May 27. This year’s projected total number of travellers is a 4% increase over last year and comes close to matching 2005’s record of 44 million Memorial Day travellers.
“We haven’t seen Memorial Day weekend travel numbers like these in almost 20 years,” said Lori Weaver Hawkins, public affairs manager for AAA Blue Grass. “AAA is projecting an additional 1 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.” Road trips are expected to set a record.
AAA projects 38.4 million people will travel by car over Memorial Day weekend, the highest number for that 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. Travelling by car is appealing for many people because of the convenience and flexibility it provides. AAA car rental partner Hertz says Orlando, Denver, Atlanta, Boston and Las Vegas are the cities displaying the highest rental demand, with the busiest pick-up days projected to be Thursday, May 23 and Friday, May 24.
This Memorial Day weekend drivers can expect similar gas prices as last year when the national average was roughly $3.57. Pump prices rose this spring .
