Record 45 million travelers expected Memorial Day weekend

AAA projects that a record 45 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home for Memorial Day between Thursday, May 21 and Monday, May 25. 

This is slightly higher than 2025 when 44.8 million people traveled for the holiday. 

The 2026 domestic travel forecast sets a new Memorial Day weekend travel record with 39.1 million travelers expected to drive and 3.66 million expected to fly to their destinations. While gas prices are higher than last Memorial Day weekend, average ticket prices for flights are lower than last year.

Memorial Day weekend drivers should expect the heaviest congestion on Thursday and Friday between 3pm and 6pm and Monday afternoon. Sunday should be the lightest day for traffic