AAA: Nearly 2.7 million Floridians expected to travel for Memorial Day weekend

Summary:

AAA forecasts approximately 2.66 million Floridians will travel during the five-day Memorial Day holiday period, with more than 2.35 million expected to drive. Nationally, nearly 45 million Americans are projected to travel, making it the busiest Memorial Day travel weekend on record, although growth compared to last year remains modest. AAA officials said higher gas prices and persistent inflation may cause some travelers to shorten trips, stay closer to home, or delay travel plans despite continued strong demand.

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AAA projects nearly 2.6 million Floridians will travel at least 50 miles from home for Memorial Day weekend, setting a new record for the holiday. The travel period includes five days, beginning on the Thursday before Memorial Day and ending on Monday.

Most Florida travelers will take road trips, with more than 2.3 million expected to drive. Another 236,000 will fly, while nearly 75,000 will travel by other modes such as bus, train, or cruise.

Related: Freedom at Your Own Pace: How Savvy Travelers are Mastering Solo Travel Trend.

While travel volumes continue to climb, the increase from last year remains limited. Florida travel rose slightly year over year, reflecting a broader national trend of record-setting travel numbers paired with slower growth.

Nationally, AAA expects nearly 45 million Americans to travel over the Memorial Day holiday, the highest total on record. However, year-over-year growth remains below 1%.

“Memorial Day travel is still reaching record levels, but with the smallest year-over-year increase in more than a decade,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Although travel demand remains strong, higher fuel prices and persistent inflation may cause some travelers to shorten trips, delay plans, or stay closer to home.”

Memorial Day Travelers by Mode of Transportation

By Car:

Nationally, driving remains the most popular way to travel this Memorial Day weekend. AAA projects 39.1 million people will travel by car, a slight jump over last year.

A holiday road trip will cost more at the gas pump this year. Florida gas prices are averaging $4.43 per gallon. Last year, the state average was $3.06 per gallon on Memorial Day. Drivers can use the AAA mobile app to find the lowest price in their area. Visit GasPrices.AAA.com to view daily state and local price averages.

With heavier traffic expected, AAA urges drivers to Slow Down, Move Over for disabled vehicles and roadside responders. During last year’s Memorial Day weekend, AAA responded to more than 350,000 emergency roadside assistance calls nationwide to help stranded drivers with issues like dead batteries, flat tires, and empty fuel tanks. AAA encourages drivers to check their tires, battery, and fluid levels before hitting the road.

For travelers renting cars over Memorial Day weekend, AAA car rental partner Hertz says Thursday and Friday are expected to be the busiest pick-up days. The top 5 markets with the highest demand are Orlando, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Denver, and Boston. According to AAA booking data, domestic car rentals are 1% cheaper this holiday weekend compared to last year. AAA member benefits on rental cars can make the holiday more affordable and safer with free child safety seat rental at AAA.com/Hertz.

By Air:

Air travelers make up 8% of the share of travelers this holiday weekend. AAA projects 3.66 million travelers will fly domestically over the holiday weekend, a small increase over last year. According to AAA booking data, travelers who booked flights in advance paid about six percent less than last year, with an average ticket costing $800. However, more recent airfare trends may reflect rising fuel costs.

“Travel costs remain a mixed picture this year,” said Debbie Haas, Vice President of Travel for AAA The Auto Club Group. “Travelers who booked early may have secured lower airfares, but rising fuel costs are putting upward pressure on prices. Working with a travel agent can help travelers find the best value, tap into options they may not see on their own, and make the most of their overall travel budget.”

By Other Modes:

Travel by bus, train, and cruise will increase by more than 5% to 2.2 million travelers. The growth reflects expanded cruise capacity and continued demand for Alaska itineraries.

AAA’s Top Memorial Day Weekend Destinations

Memorial Day weekend travelers are taking trips to theme parks and famous landmarks, boarding cruises in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska, and flying to Europe to visit iconic capital cities. Here are the top 10 domestic and international destinations, based on AAA booking data.