Memorial Day Weekend Set to Break Records With Surge in Road Trips Expected

It is anticipated that the number of domestic travelers within the U.S. will surpass the previous high recorded during Memorial Day weekend back in 2005.
AAA
expects that 45.1 million individuals will journey 50 miles or more away from their homes over the weekend, which is up by 1.4 million travelers from the previous year.

People driving notice the most significant change, with over a million additional motorists anticipated on the highways relative to last year. Although 87% of travelers opt for road trips during the Memorial Day weekend, they benefit this year from reduced crude oil prices, which have made gasoline less expensive across the country. Usually, gas prices reach their highest point in the summer when the heavy travel period begins. To dodge these increases, you should steer clear of filling up at service stations near interstates and focus on improving your vehicle’s fuel efficiency instead.

Regarding traffic, AAA predicts heavy congestion throughout the afternoon during the entire weekend, with smoother traveling conditions in the morning hours. If possible, start your journey at daybreak, and aim to return home by 2 p.m. on Monday.

Airports can expect even busier weekends this year compared to last, with AAA forecasting approximately 3.61 million air travelers. Last year saw 3.55 million people opting for flights, marking an increase of almost 2 percent from the previous year’s prediction.

However, flights are more expensive than last year, with the average roundtrip ticket price costing $850. Popular destinations include Chicago, New York, Orlando, Denver, and Seattle. (If you’re planning to travel by air, follow the recommended airport arrival time of at least two hours before your domestic flight.)

Various forms of transport being chosen by travelers this weekend consist of trains, buses, and cruise ships. These options have seen an uptick of 8.5% from last year’s statistics, particularly noting a surge in interest for Alaskan routes over the Memorial Day weekend; notable cities attracting visitors include Fairbanks, Anchorage, and Juneau.

This blog entry initially appeared here