AAA Sees Record 45 Million Memorial Day Travelers as Gas Tops $4.50 a Gallon
Updated
Updated · abcnews.com · May 20
AAA Sees Record 45 Million Memorial Day Travelers as Gas Tops $4.50 a Gallon
9 articles · Updated · abcnews.com · May 20
45 million Americans are expected to travel over Memorial Day weekend, with AAA projecting a record holiday volume despite sharply higher fuel and airfare costs.
39.1 million travelers will go by car and 3.66 million will fly, making roads the main pressure point even as airlines prepare for one of the busiest holiday periods.
Friday, May 22, is expected to be the peak departure day: INRIX says drivers should leave before 11 a.m. to avoid the worst traffic from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., while American Airlines also flags Friday as its busiest day.
Gas prices are adding to the strain, with the national average above $4.50 a gallon as of May 10, up from $3.17 on Memorial Day last year and the highest since summer 2022.
AAA lists Orlando, Seattle, New York City, Las Vegas, Miami and San Francisco as the top U.S. destinations, with Rome, Vancouver, Paris and London leading international demand.
Why are a record 45 million Americans traveling despite the highest gas prices in years?
With airfare down 6%, can airports handle a record-breaking summer travel surge without chaos?
Would a federal gas tax holiday actually help drivers or just benefit oil companies?