AAA projects 45 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home during the Memorial Day holiday period, which runs from Thursday, May 21, through Monday, May 25, setting a new record for the holiday weekend.
According to AAA, 39.1 million travelers are expected to drive to their destinations, while another 3.66 million people are projected to fly. The travel organization said demand remains strong despite higher fuel prices compared to last Memorial Day weekend.
“Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer, and for most Americans, it’s a three-day weekend,” said Stacey Barber, vice president of AAA Travel. “Travel demand remains strong, and despite higher fuel prices, many people are prioritizing leisure travel during holiday breaks.”
AAA: 87% of Memorial Day Travelers Hitting the Road
Driving remains the most popular mode of transportation, accounting for 87% of Memorial Day weekend travelers. AAA said drivers are currently paying the highest gas prices seen since the summer of 2022. Last Memorial Day weekend, the organization responded to more than 350,000 roadside assistance calls involving issues such as dead batteries, flat tires, and empty fuel tanks.
AAA urged drivers to “Slow Down, Move Over, and drive sober” during the busy holiday period.
Air travel is also expected to increase slightly over last year, with domestic round-trip flights averaging about $800, according to AAA booking data. The organization said airfare prices were about 6% lower than last year for travelers who booked early.
AAA also expects about 2.2 million people to travel by other methods, including buses, trains, and cruises, with Alaska cruises contributing to growth in that category.
The organization identified Thursday afternoon and evening, as well as Friday midday through evening, as the worst times for road travel over the holiday weekend.
DFW Airport Braces for One of Its Busiest Memorial Day Weekends Ever
As travel demand rises nationwide, Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport is preparing for one of its busiest Memorial Day periods in recent years.
DFW Airport expects approximately 1.6 million passengers to travel to, through, or from the airport between May 21 and May 26, a 5.8% increase from last year. Officials said the busiest travel days are expected to be Thursday, Friday, and Monday.
Airport officials warned travelers to expect the heaviest congestion during late-morning hours between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m., and again from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
DFW recommends passengers arrive at least two hours before domestic departures and three hours before international flights, and to allow additional time for traffic, parking, and security screening.
The airport is also implementing roadway changes tied to its International Parkway Project ahead of the holiday rush.
Officials said the full configuration of Terminal C’s new right-hand access lanes will open before Memorial Day weekend. Travelers arriving from the south can now reach Terminal C using the new right-hand exit, while northbound travelers will begin using the updated access route starting Thursday morning, May 21.
At the same time, Terminal D’s North Exit is reopening, restoring northbound access to International Parkway.
The roadway changes are part of the third and final phase of a project designed to improve traffic flow into Terminals A, B, and C.
American Airlines passengers departing from Terminal C are also being encouraged to check in and clear security at Terminal A before using the Skylink train or pedestrian connections to reach Terminal C in an effort to reduce congestion.
DFW officials also encouraged travelers to use the airport’s mobile app for live parking updates, TSA wait times, and terminal alerts, and reminded drivers that terminal curbs are reserved only for active loading and unloading.
Public transit options serving the airport include DART’s Orange and Silver lines, Trinity Metro TEXRail, and the TRE Link Shuttle.
Airport officials said travelers who plan ahead and allow extra time should be better positioned to navigate the busy start of the summer travel season.
