Tejal Somvanshi
A historic 45.1 million Americans will pack their bags for Memorial Day weekend this year, setting a new travel record for the holiday. The previous record of 44 million travelers was set back in 2005.
The five-day travel period from May 22 to May 26 will see roads, airports, and cruise ports busier than ever. Most travelers – 39.4 million – will hit the highways, taking advantage of lower gas prices that have dropped nearly 50 cents per gallon compared to last year.
“Memorial Day weekend getaways don’t have to be extravagant and costly,” notes 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.”
Air travel is growing too, with 3.61 million people expected to fly – up 2% from last year. However, they’ll face higher ticket prices, with domestic flights averaging $850 roundtrip.
Theme parks and cruise destinations top the travel list. Orlando leads domestic destinations, while Rome ranks first for international trips. Seattle and Anchorage are gaining popularity as starting points for Alaska cruises.
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Traffic will be heaviest during afternoons. Drivers should expect major delays in Boston, New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Washington, DC.
The worst congestion times:
- Thursday: 1 PM to 9 PM
- Friday: Noon to 8 PM
- Saturday: 2 PM to 6 PM
- Sunday: 1 PM to 5 PM
- Monday: 4 PM to 7 PM
Some travelers are adjusting their plans due to economic concerns. Kristin Herman, a Portland educator, changed her European vacation plans. “It didn’t feel like the right time to spend so much money,” she said, opting instead for a road trip to Oregon’s Cannon Beach.
Beyond cars and planes, 2.08 million people will travel by train, bus, or cruise ship – an 8.5% jump from last year. Cruise travel is particularly strong, with 19 million Americans expected to take cruises throughout 2025.
For those still planning trips, early morning drives offer the best chance to avoid traffic. Hotel and rental car bookings are filling up fast, especially in popular spots like Orlando, Denver, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Miami, and Seattle.
The surge in travel, despite some economic uncertainties, shows Americans’ strong desire to connect with family and friends over the long holiday weekend, even if it means choosing closer destinations or more budget-friendly options.
