Record 2.6 Million Floridians Set to Hit the Road for Memorial Day: AAA Forecast

FLORIDA — Approximately 2.6 million residents of Florida are anticipated to journey at least 50 miles away from their homes during the Memorial Day weekend, according to a statement released by AAA. This marks an uptick of around 95,000 travelers more than last year’s count.

Across the country, an estimated 45.1 million individuals are expected to embark on their travels during the holiday weekend, marking an increase of 1.4 million travelers compared to last year, according to AAA.

This establishes a fresh Memorial Day weekend record for travel; the prior high, recorded in 2005, was 44 million individuals embarking on journeys for the occasion.

In spite of economic instability and worldwide hurdles, traveling continues to be a top choice for Americans who wish to forge lasting memories through their Memorial Day trips,” stated Debbie Haas, Vice President of Travel at AAA – The Auto Club Group. “No matter whether you’re eyeing a brief escape or planning an elaborate holiday, affordable alternatives abound for all sorts of plans. Whether it’s a compact seaside respite or a prolonged ocean voyage, collaborating with a travel consultant can assist in discovering special deals and crafting a vacation tailored precisely to your preferences and requirements.

AAA predicts that 39.4 million individuals will drive during the Memorial Day holiday period. This figure represents an increase of one million travelers compared to the previous year. Additionally, this year, 87% of those celebrating Memorial Day will opt for a road trip.

In Florida, an estimated 2.34 million travelers plan to use their cars, as reported by AAA.

The least advisable moments for traveling during the holiday weekend are as follows:

Thursday, from 1 to 9 p.m.
Friday, from 12:00 PM until 8:00 PM
Saturday, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Monday, from 4 to 7 p.m.

The optimal periods for your Memorial Day road trip are as follows:

Friday before 11 a.m.
Saturday before noon
Sunday before 1 p.m.
Monday before 2 p.m.

Given the large number of travelers on the roads, fortunately, gas prices are anticipated to be below what they were in 2024.

The previous year, the national average for a gallon of regular gasoline stood at around $3.49. Within Florida, however, you would have paid slightly more at $3.51 per gallon.

As of now, the average gasoline price in Florida has been $3.11 per gallon for 2023, according to AAA. Reduced expenses related to crude oil have thus far stopped the usual increase in gas prices during spring.

Present gasoline rates can be viewed at
GasPrices.AAA.com
.

Motorists have not encountered the typical uptick in gasoline prices during spring, largely due to economic worries keeping oil expenses down,” stated Mark Jenkins, a representative from AAA – The Auto Club Group. “As summer travels approach, we might see an increase at the pumps owing to higher fuel consumption. Nonetheless, shifts in global supply and demand dynamics will remain the primary factors influencing these price changes.

According to Hertz, a partnering company with AAA, Friday is anticipated to see the highest number of car rentals during the Memorial Day holiday weekend.

Orlando and Miami are witnessing the greatest demand for car rentals during this holiday season.

Airports are gearing up for a busy holiday travel weekend. According to AAA, approximately 3.61 million airline passengers are anticipated to fly domestically—a rise of almost 2% compared to the previous year. This year’s figures are forecasted to exceed pre-pandemic levels for this same period by roughly 12%.

In Florida, more than 230,000 people are expected to travel by plane.

Across the country, domestic flight prices have risen by 2% compared to last year. Typically, a return trip ticket averages around $850.

Orlando is among the top choices for holidays this season.

AAA predicts that nationwide, approximately 2.08 million individuals will journey via alternative means such as trains, buses, or cruises during this Memorial Day weekend. This represents an 8.5% rise compared to the previous year.

It is anticipated that in Florida, this figure will surpass 70,000.