AAA expects more than 45.1 million nationwide to travel for Memorial Day weekend. That’s 1.4 million more domestic travelers than last year. It’s also a new Memorial Day weekend record, surpassing the previous record set back in 2005 with 44 million people.

"Despite economic uncertainty and global challenges, travel remains a priority for Americans, with millions eager to make memories with a Memorial Day getaway,” said Debbie Haas, Vice President of Travel for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Whether travelers are looking for a quick getaway or an extended vacation, there are budget-friendly options for every plan. From a short beach retreat to an extended cruise, working with a travel advisor can help uncover exclusive discounts and create a vacation that best meets your interests and needs."

Memorial Day Travelers by Mode of Transportation

By Car: AAA projects 39.4 million people will travel by car over Memorial Day weekend. That’s one million more travelers than last year. This year, 87% of Memorial Day travelers will take a road trip.

Fortunately, a trip to the gas pump should be lower than last year. On Memorial Day 2024, the national average for a gallon of regular was $3.59 per gallon. In Georgia, it was $3.35/g. So far this spring, gas prices have avoided the usual seasonal spikes, largely due to lower crude oil costs.

“As Memorial Day is considered the unofficial start of summer and travel demand picks up, there’s a chance that pump prices will edge upward,” said Montrae Waiters, AAA – The Auto Club Group spokeswoman. “Historically, gas prices tend to peak in the spring or summer before gradually easing as schools reopen in the fall.”

Gas: Even with gas prices projected to be lower than last Memorial Day weekend, drivers can still find ways to save at the pump.

• Start by peeking at current prices on the AAA fuel site and using the AAA gas cost calculator to get an idea of the cost of your road trip.
• Once you hit the road, remember that the gas stations right off the interstate are usually the most expensive. If you want to save money, drive farther down the road for cheaper gas. AAA members receive stackable discounts on gas through the Fuel Rewards® program at participating Shell stations.
• After you fill up, avoid speeding. Fuel economy peaks around 50 mph on most cars, then drops off as speeds increase. Reducing highway speeds by 5 to 10 mph can increase fuel economy by as much as 14%.  

Rental Cars: For drivers renting cars over Memorial Day weekend, AAA car rental partner Hertz says Friday, May 23, is expected to be the busiest day for pickup. SUVs are the most popular rental vehicles for the long holiday weekend. Hertz says the cities seeing the highest demand for rental cars include Orlando, Denver, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Miami, and Seattle – all cities in AAA’s Top Destinations list.

By Air: Airports are bracing for another bustling holiday weekend. AAA projects 3.61 million air passengers, a nearly 2% increase over last year when 3.55 million travelers took to the skies. While this Memorial Day weekend isn’t expected to set an air travel record (that was set back in 2005 with 3.64 million travelers), this year’s numbers are projected to surpass pre-pandemic levels by 12%.

According to AAA booking data (based on what travelers paid when booking Memorial Day weekend flights):

• Domestic flights are 2% more expensive than last year, with the average round-trip ticket costing $850.
• Most of those flights are to popular destinations like Chicago, New York, Orlando, Denver, and Seattle.