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AAA: 45 Million Americans Planning Memorial Day Weekend Getaways Despite Higher Fuel Prices   

This year’s record-breaking forecast is slightly higher than 2025 when 44.8 million people traveled for the holiday

 

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. (May 11, 2026) - AAA projects 45 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home for Memorial Day between Thursday, May 21 and Monday, May 25. This year’s domestic travel forecast is slightly higher than last year and sets a new Memorial Day weekend travel record. Of those, California will see more than 5.86 million travelers and Arizona will see more than 970,000 travelers this holiday weekend.

The vast majority of travelers (39.1 million) are expected to drive while 3.66 million are 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.

“Despite higher fuel prices, the underlying desire to travel remains positive and strong as travelers are prioritizing leisure summer getaways,” said Cyndi Zesk, Senior Vice President of Travel for AAA Mountain West Group. “Working with a AAA Travel Advisor provides travelers essential tools and resources to stay safe and much-needed peace of mind.”

Memorial Day Travelers by Mode of Transportation

By Car: Driving is the preferred mode of transportation during holiday travel periods with 87% of Memorial Day travelers choosing to take road trips. AAA is reminding travelers not to delay vehicle maintenance. A breakdown is the fastest way to ruin a holiday weekend. More than 4.77 million Californians and 850,000 Arizonans will be traveling by car this holiday weekend.

By Air: Air travel remains robust, making up 8% of the share of travelers this holiday weekend, despite external factors like TSA issues and government shutdowns. Seeking the guidance of a AAA Travel Advisor can help navigate these nuances should they come up during your trip. More than 632,000 Californians and 84,000 Arizonans will be flying this holiday weekend.

By Other Modes: Travel by other modes is expected to go up by 5% with 2.2 million people traveling by bus, train, or cruise ship over Memorial Day weekend. Alaskan cruises remain popular and kick-off this time of year, remaining a driving factor in the industry’s momentous growth. More than 455,000 Californians and 39,000 Arizonans will be traveling by other modes this holiday weekend.

AAA Offers Gas Saving Tips

This holiday weekend, drivers are paying more at the pump compared to last year when the national average for a gallon of regular gasoline was $3.17 on Memorial Day. Currently, pump prices are the highest they’ve been since the summer of 2022. AAA recommends drivers follow these gas-saving tips.

  • Save on gas. Use the AAA Mobile App to find the cheapest gas stations along your route, plan your trip, request roadside assistance, and more. AAA Members can save 30¢ per gallon on your first fill-up at participating stations when you join Shell Fuel Rewards. All AAA Shell Fuel Rewards Members save 5¢ per gallon on their fill-ups of up to 20 gallons at participating stations with complimentary Gold Status.
  • Avoid speeding. Fuel economy peaks around 50 mph on most cars, then drops off as speeds increase. Reducing highway speeds by 5 to 10 mph can increase fuel economy by as much as 14%.
  • Remove unnecessary weight from your vehicle (e.g., trunk, cargo area, etc.) as weight increases the amount of effort it takes to move the vehicle.
  • Check tire pressure and align tires: Maintaining proper tire pressure reduces your tire's friction with the road. Less friction means less energy is needed to move, resulting in using less gas. Proper inflation can improve gas mileage by 0.6 percent on average. 

AAA Shares Best Travel Tips

  • Hit the road early. Thursday, May 21, Friday, May 22 and Monday May 25 are projected to be the busiest travel days with 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. being the most congested hours. Sunday should be the lightest day for traffic, barring any unexpected events on the road.
  • Be road trip ready. AAA anticipates about 350,000 roadside service calls nationwide for the holiday weekend. A pre-trip inspection at a AAA Auto Repair Center can prevent common breakdowns like dead batteries and blown tires. Last year, AAA came to the rescue of hundreds of motorists in  these Mountain West Group states: Alaska: 137; Arizona: 6,300; Montana: 588; Northern California: 25,000; Nevada: 3,400; Utah: 1,300; Wyoming: 186.
  • Flexibility is key to scoring cheaper airfare. Weekdays tend to be the least expensive days to travel. Opting for basic economy fares (while noting restrictions), booking airport parking in advance, and bringing your own meals can help save you money.
  • Slow down, move over. With a record number of travelers on the road this holiday weekend, AAA reminds drivers to put safety first, Slow Down, Move Over for all stopped vehicles on the roadside. 
  • Drive sober. AAA reminds drivers to plan sober rides this summer. Before getting behind the wheel, make a plan, designate a sober driver or hail a ride-sharing service so everyone can get home safely.  

Media Toolkit

Video soundbites are available and can be downloaded here: Record Travel Despite Higher Gas Prices; Best and Worst Times to Travel; Gas Saving Tips. The spokesperson is Doug Johnson, AAA Mountain West Group.

About AAA Mountain West Group

AAA Mountain West Group is one of the most trusted membership organizations, proudly serving over 6.8 million Members across Alaska, Arizona, Montana, Nevada, Northern California, Utah, and Wyoming. Named one of Forbes’ Most Trusted Companies in America, AAA delivers unmatched expertise and value through roadside assistance and electric vehicle (EV) resources, along with comprehensive auto repair, travel, insurance, financial, and home security services. Powered by 5,300 dedicated Team Members, AAA is on a mission to revolutionize solutions that help our Members.

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