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AAA Projects Record-Breaking Memorial Day Despite Cost Concerns 

More than 45 million people are expected to travel, with road trips expected to set new record.

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. (May 12, 2025) - The traditional kick off to summer travel season starts with a record breaking number of people expected to travel for Memorial Day this year, according to newly released AAA data.

AAA projects about 45.1 million people will travel at least 50 miles from home beginning Thursday, May 22 to Monday, May 26. This represents an increase of 1.4 million travelers compared to last year, surpassing the previous record set in 2005 with 44 million people.

Many Americans say they’re taking advantage of the long weekend to spend time with loved ones, even if they are staying closer to home amid concerns over travel costs.

 “Take advantage of the Memorial Day holiday weekend, without breaking the budget,” said Cyndi Zesk, Senior Vice President of Travel for AAA Mountain West Group. “Lots of our members are booking regional getaways and old fashioned road trips. So, whether it's a quiet retreat for two, or a family mini-break, be sure to maximize your vacation value and get your AAA Member travel benefits on hotels, cruises, tours, cars and insurance." 

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 projects 39.4 million people will travel by car nationwide over Memorial Day weekend. This year, drivers have the benefit of cheaper gas prices thanks to lower crude oil prices.

By Air:  AAA projects 3.61 million air passengers, a nearly 2% increase over last year when 3.55 million travelers took to the skies. AAA booking data shows the cost for domestic flights are up 2% compared to last year. 

By Other Modes: AAA projects 2.08 million people will travel by train, bus, or cruise nationwide over Memorial Day weekend, an 8.5% increase over last year. Travelers are turning to cruises in record numbers. AAA projects a record 19 million people plan to take cruises in 2025.  

AAA Shares Best Travel 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. 
  • 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%.
  • Hit the road early. Thursday, May 22 and Friday, May 23 are projected to be the busiest travel days with 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. being the most congested hours. 
  • Be road trip ready. AAA is anticipating about 350,000 roadside service calls nationwide for the holiday weekend. Last year, AAA helped more than 89,000 people in California. A pre-trip inspection at a AAA Auto Repair Center can prevent common breakdowns like dead batteries and blown tires.
  • Flexibility is key to scoring cheaper airfare. Consider flying on weekdays since weekend flights tend to be more expensive, opting for basic economy fares (while noting restrictions), booking airport parking in advance, and bringing your own meals can help save you money.

About AAA Mountain West Group

AAA Mountain West Group is a membership and full-service leisure travel organization, proudly serving over 6.7 million Members across Northern California, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, Montana, Wyoming, and Alaska. 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.