Record-breaking 45.1 million Americans set to travel this Memorial Day weekend
Editor's Note
If you think Memorial Day weekend might be a busy one for travel, you're right. More than 45 million Americans are expected to travel 50-plus miles over the long weekend, according to AAA.
Before you pack a suitcase and hop in the car or take to the sky, here's what to expect by the numbers.
Busy weekend in the air
Orlando, Seattle and New York City are among the most in-demand domestic Memorial Day weekend destinations, according to AAA. Meanwhile, top international destinations include Rome, Paris and Vancouver, British Columbia.
Cities like Seattle and Vancouver are popular because Memorial Day weekend kicks off the peak Alaska cruise season, while Orlando draws travelers with its many theme parks (plus a relatively nearby cruise port).
AAA projects that air travel will exceed pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels by 12%, with 3.61 million travelers flying to their destination this Memorial Day weekend — an increase of nearly 2% over last year.
"Memorial Day weekend getaways don't have to be extravagant and costly," said Stacey Barber, vice president of AAA Travel. "While some travelers embark on dream vacations and fly hundreds of miles across the country, many families just pack up the car and drive to the beach or take a road trip to visit friends. Long holiday weekends are ideal for travel because many people have an extra day off work and students are off from school."
Airports will be busy for Memorial Day weekend
AAA forecasts that this year will be Memorial Day weekend's highest travel volume since 2005, when 3.64 million people flew for the holiday as the travel industry finally rebounded post-9/11.
United Airlines says it will fly 3.8 million people this Memorial Day weekend, about 300,000 more than last year.
American Airlines plans to operate nearly 38,000 flights over Memorial Day weekend and the days around it (from May 22 to 27). The busiest travel days will be May 22 and 23, with nearly 6,500 departures on both days.
Travelers connecting through Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) on American may notice some slight flight delays: The airline is testing new technology that identifies departing flights with connecting customers who might miss their flight. If the flight can be delayed without affecting the airline's schedule, then it may be held briefly so the connecting passengers can get on board. The test will be expanded to Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) and other hubs this summer.
If your travel plans include flying to or from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), you'll want to keep a close eye on your reservations. As TPG has been reporting, the airport has faced several problems related to air traffic control equipment and staffing that have caused significant delays. United has temporarily cut 35 daily round-trip flights to Newark, which is one of the three largest airports serving the New York City area.
Related: 6 key tools and tips to find the cheapest airfare
New Real ID requirements
No matter where you depart, be sure to have your Real ID to avoid delays with the Transportation Security Administration. The Real ID requirement went into effect May 7, but if your driver's license isn't compliant, there are other options to clear security.
The TSA will also accept the following as valid identification:
- State-issued enhanced driver's license or enhanced ID
- U.S. passport or passport card
- Department of Homeland Security Trusted Traveler Program cards (Global Entry, Nexus, SENTRI and FAST)
- U.S. Department of Defense ID
- Permanent resident card
- Border crossing card
- Photo ID issued by a federally recognized tribal nation/Indian tribe, including enhanced tribal cards
- HSPD-12 personal identification verification card
- Foreign government-issued passport
- Canadian provincial driver's license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card
- Transportation Worker Identification Credential
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services employment authorization card (I-766)
- U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential
- Veteran health identification card
More travelers are hitting the road
If you plan to drive this holiday weekend, prepare to share the road with 39.4 million other Americans with the same idea — an increase of 1 million travelers compared to last year, according to AAA.
Travelers who plan on leaving on Thursday or Friday should aim to get on the road early to avoid mixing with commuters, according to the transportation analysts at Inrix. For return trips home on Sunday or Monday, try to avoid the afternoon hours when traffic peaks. Major metro areas like Boston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco and Washington, D.C., are projected to have some of the nation's worst traffic, with travel times doubling compared to normal.
Although it will be busy, there's good news for those opting for a road trip: Average gas prices are cheaper than last year due to lower crude oil prices keeping seasonal spikes at bay.
According to AAA, the current regular gas price average is $3.18 per gallon, which is a nice reduction from last year's $3.59. However, AAA also warns that prices may creep higher as the summer driving season gets underway.
Related: Top tips for how to save on gas
Another 2.08 million people will take a different method of transportation — train, bus or cruise — over Memorial Day weekend. That amounts to an 8.5% increase over last year, which surpasses pre-pandemic numbers from 2018 and 2019 but doesn't match the record numbers of the early 2000s, when more people traveled on trains and buses post-9/11.
Travel tips from TPG
You can't control that tens of millions of people will travel out of town this weekend, but there's a lot within your control to make your trip a success. Here are some curated travel tips from the TPG team of travel experts.
- Pack your patience, and get to airports early in case there are lines for checking bags or going through security.
- Get TSA PreCheck or Clear to expedite your security screening. If you have both, you can choose the shorter line or use one that layers in both.
- Travel with only a carry-on. It will save you money on baggage fees if you don't carry a cobranded airline credit card or hold elite status. You also won't have to worry about losing your luggage or facing challenges if irregular flight operations occur.
- Can't bring just a carry-on? Use a tracking device like an Apple AirTag for your checked bag so you know where it is, even if the airline doesn't. It has saved many bags for TPG writers and readers.
- Consider taking the train instead of flying or driving. Fares might be cheaper, and the experience is more scenic and less of a hassle than the airport. Plus, there's a better baggage allowance.
- Take the first flight of the day. Usually, this means your plane has arrived the night before, so it's less likely you'll deal with a delay. Flying nonstop is also a great way to try and avoid any unexpected issues due to layovers.
- Have a backup plan. Using points and miles to secure a backup flight if your original plan goes sideways might save your vacation, especially if your travel plans are really tight. Just be sure to cancel before departure to get your points or miles redeposited in your account.
- Use a credit card that carries travel protections like trip interruption and cancellation insurance. Even if you are traveling on an award ticket, you are covered by paying the taxes on the ticket with one of these cards.
Read on for more travel tips:
- Key travel tips you need to know — whether you're a first-time or frequent traveler
- Best travel credit cards
- Where to go in 2025: The 29 best places to travel
- 6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
- 8 of the best credit cards for general travel purchases
- Here's what to pack in a carry-on bag every time you travel
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