AAA projects more than 38 million Americans will travel this Memorial Day weekend. That is the second-highest Memorial Day travel volume on record and the most since 2005.

Fast Facts:

-The Memorial Day holiday travel period is defined as Thursday, May 26 to Monday, May 30

-An estimated 38,033,000 Americans will travel 50 miles or more. That is the second-highest travel volume on record for this holiday behind 2005, when there were 44,041,000 travelers

-About 700,000 more people will travel than last year’s holiday (1.8% increase)

-The growth is led by the lowest gas prices in 11 years and a strong labor market - boosting incomes and consumer spending

-33.9 million Americans will drive, raising the share of auto travelers to a record-setting 89 percent for the holiday

-2.6 million Americans will fly (1.6% increase). AAA counts actual travelers not enplanements, in which every time someone steps on a plane they are counted as a traveler

-1.6 million will use other modes of transportation like cruises, trains and buses (a decline of 2.3%)

-Average airfares for the holiday weekend are 26 percent lower than the same time last year ($165 vs $222)

-Car rental rates ($62) are a dollar lower than last year

-3 Diamond Hotel rates ($183) are $1 more than last year

-2 Diamond Hotel rates ($151) are $7 more than last year

“Millions of Americans are eager to kick-off the unofficial start of the summer travel season by taking a Memorial Day getaway,” said Joe Richardson, President and CEO, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “We are forecasting an increase in holiday travelers for the second consecutive year, and the most in 11 years, largely due to low gas prices, a growing labor market and rising personal incomes. If these factors continue, the travel industry should enjoy a booming summer season.”


 
Low gas prices drive increase in auto travel this Memorial Day

Nearly 34 million (89 percent) holiday travelers will drive to their Memorial Day destinations, an increase of 2.1 percent over last year. Air travel is expected to increase 1.6 percent over last year, with 2.6 million Americans taking to the skies this Memorial Day. Travel by other modes of transportation, including cruises, trains and buses, will fall 2.3 percent, to 1.6 million travelers.

“Although the overall number of holiday travelers is growing, we’re seeing the highest share of auto travelers in history, because the price of gasoline is so low,” said Garrett Townsend, Georgia Public Affairs Director, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Driving can be more economical for larger families than buying multiple plane tickets, plus you have more flexibility in changing trip duration and distance.”

Lowest Memorial Day gas prices in 11 years expected

AAA expects most U.S. drivers will pay the lowest Memorial Day gas prices since 2005. The national average price for a gallon of gasoline on Memorial Day 2015 was $2.74 and $3.66 the year before (find today’s average prices).

“Gas prices peak in most years before Memorial Day, which means we could see gas prices decline later this summer if normal trends apply,” said Townsend. “The big wild card is the cost of crude oil, and no one has a good idea of where crude oil prices are headed later this year. If crude oil keeps going up, then we would see higher gas prices, but if crude remains flat then most drivers should pay the cheapest summertime gas prices in 11 years.”

AAA estimates that Americans have saved more than $18 billion on gas so far this year compared to the same period in 2015. During the first three months of 2016, Americans paid the cheapest quarterly gas prices in 11 years. According to a recent AAA survey, 55 percent of Americans say they are more likely to take a road trip this year due to lower gas prices.

Airfares fall significantly this Memorial Day  

According to AAA’s Leisure Travel Index, average airfares for the top 40 domestic flight routes will be 26 percent cheaper this Memorial Day, with an average roundtrip ticket costing $165. Hotel costs are in line with last Memorial Day. AAA Three Diamond Rated hotels will average $183, while a AAA Two Diamond Rated hotel will average $151 nightly. Daily car rental rates will average $62, three percent less than last year.

AAA to rescue more than 350,000 motorists this Memorial Day

AAA expects to rescue more than 350,000 motorists during the Memorial Day holiday travel period, with the primary reasons being dead batteries, lockouts and flat tires. AAA recommends motorists check the condition of their battery and tires before heading out on a road trip. Also, have vehicles inspected by a trusted repair shop, such as one of the nearly 7,000 AAA Approved Auto Repair facilities across North America. Members can download the AAA Mobile app, visit AAA.com or call 1-800-AAA-HELP to request roadside assistance.

Popular Destinations

Many Memorial Day travelers will head to warm weather destinations and historic American cities to kick off their summer travels. The top destinations this Memorial Day weekend, based on AAA.com and AAA travel agency sales, are:

1. Orlando
2. Myrtle Beach
3. Washington, D.C.
4. New York
5. Miami
6. San Francisco
7. Boston
8. Honolulu
9. Los Angeles
10. South Padre Island