Record Travel Expected for Memorial Day Weekend: AAA Forecasts and Travel Tips

Record-Breaking Travel Forecast

• 🚗 AAA predicts a record 45 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles for Memorial Day weekend, marking the unofficial start to summer.
• ✈️ A significant portion, 3.6 million people, are expected to fly, a nearly 2% increase from last year, with TSA screening approximately 18 million passengers nationwide.
• 🗺️ Popular travel destinations include Chicago, New York, Orlando, Denver, and Seattle.

Road Travel Dominance and Gas Prices

• 🛣️ 90% of travelers are anticipated to use roadways, influenced by current low gas prices.
• ⛽ The average gas price is around $3.8 per gallon, which is 50% cheaper than last year and projected to decrease further.

Safety and Preparedness

• ⚠️ Memorial Day weekend kicks off the deadliest days of summer road travel, with a high number of fatal crashes typically occurring between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
• 🚦 Travelers are urged to be prepared for road hazards, wear seat belts, drive sober, and avoid distractions.
• ⏰ For those driving, traveling in the early morning hours is recommended to avoid traffic, with the worst times expected between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. on the holiday and the following day.

Airport Operations and Real ID

• 🛂 Travelers flying are advised to pack patience and be prepared due to Real ID protocols being in effect, which may require extra time for screening if you do not have a Real ID.
• ✈️ Despite recent challenges like radar outages, Newark Liberty International Airport is experiencing significant activity, reflecting the overall high travel volume across the country.