Nearly two decades after setting the last record, Memorial Day travel is poised to hit a near all-time high with 43.8 million Americans expected to venture at least 50 miles from home. According to AAA, the anticipated travel brigade is up by 4% over last year, coming tantalizingly close to the 2005 peak. Paula Twidale, Senior Vice President of AAA Travel, expressed that the travel figures have not been seen "in almost 20 years," suggesting a sign of a bustling summer season ahead. The surge in travelers highlights an impressive recovery from the pandemic slump.
Road travel is looking to be the top choice for holidaygoers, with an estimated 38.4 million hitting the highways, a record since AAA began to keep track in 2000. As many Tennesseans prepare to join the national tide, over 900,000 Volunteer State residents are expected to travel, according to a report obtained by FOX13 Memphis. This figure surpasses the previous high from 2005 by over 14,800. Even amidst two wars shaking the global landscape and potentially impacting oil markets, drivers can anticipate paying nearly the same prices at the pump as last year's $3.57 national average.
Flights are also brimming with passengers, with AAA forecasting an uptick of 4.8% over last year. Airports are bracing for the most crowded Memorial Day weekend since the post-9/11 travel rebound in 2005. The data from OilPrice.com reflects that 3.51 million air travelers are expected, marking a dramatic rise since the pre-pandemic era. Air ticket prices are on par with last year, with a 1% to 2% rise for domestic flights, railing against the inflation trends witnessed in many other sectors.
The return to normal also boosts travel through other means, with nearly two million predicted to travel by buses, trains, and cruises – a 5.6% increase from last year. This mode of travel had taken the gravest hit during the pandemic era, as reported by AAA. Twidale explained that the increase signifies how "travel demand has been soaring," and the upcoming holiday weekend presents "the perfect windows for getaways." For those looking to rent a vehicle, Hertz points out that Orlando, Denver, Atlanta, Boston, and Las Vegas are topping the demand charts, with the busiest rental days projected for May 23 and 24.
