AAA Predicts New Memorial Day Travel Record For 2026

When it comes to the Memorial Day holiday weekend, I'm one of those who don't travel very far. But for many Massachusetts residents, Memorial Day marks the beginning of summer and prompts millions across the United States to head out for weekend getaways.

According to AAA's predictions, 45 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home between May 21 and 25 for the holiday, setting a new record and slightly surpassing last year's figures.

Here's What To Expect Memorial Day Weekend

Officials stated that out of the total, 39.1 million people are expected to travel by car. During the holiday weekend, motorists are anticipated to spend more on fuel than they did in 2025. The report noted that current pump prices are the highest since 2022.

Drivers can anticipate the worst traffic jams on May 21-22 from 3 to 6 p.m. and on the afternoon of May 25. According to the release, Sunday is expected to have the lightest traffic during the holiday weekend.

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Predictions for Memorial Day travel by air and other transportation methods

Out of all travelers, approximately 3.66 million are projected to fly to their destinations, representing about 8% of the total. The report also noted that domestic round-trip flights are now 6% cheaper than last year.

Officials anticipate that alternative transportation methods, such as buses, trains, and cruises, will see increased use during the holiday weekend.

“Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer, and for most Americans, it’s a three-day weekend, travel demand remains strong, and despite higher fuel prices, many people are prioritizing leisure travel during holiday breaks.” - Stacey Barber, the vice president of AAA Travel

According to AAA booking data, several popular destinations for Memorial Day weekend in 2026 are:

Domestic:

1. Orlando, Florida
2. Seattle
3. New York
4. Las Vegas
5. Miami
6. San Francisco
7. Anchorage, Alaska
8. Chicago
9. Denver
10. Boston

International:

1. Rome
2. Vancouver, Canada
3. Paris
4. London
5. Athens, Greece
6. Dublin
7. Barcelona, Spain
8. Southampton, England
9. Amsterdam
10. Edinburgh, Scotland