Overview
- AAA’s forecast published Monday projects 45 million travelers from May 21–25, with 39.1 million driving, 3.66 million flying, and 2.22 million using buses, trains, or cruises.
- Traffic analytics firm INRIX expects the worst backups Thursday from 3 to 6 p.m. and on Memorial Day afternoon, with Sunday likely the easiest day to drive.
- Gas prices average about $4.52 per gallon nationwide, while many flyers paid roughly 6% less than last year because they booked tickets before jet-fuel costs pushed fares higher.
- AAA booking data points to Orlando as the top U.S. destination and Rome as the leading international pick, and travel by bus, train, and cruise is up about 5% helped by the Alaska cruise season.
- Analysts say persistent high fuel costs could dampen travel later in the year even as this holiday weekend sets a new record.