OAN Staff Lillian Mann
2:28 PM – Wednesday, May 20, 2026
Despite steep gas and airfare prices, a record-breaking 45 million Americans are expected to travel at least 50 miles over Memorial Day weekend this year, according to the official holiday forecast from the American Automobile Association (AAA).
AAA reported that 3.66 million people are projected to travel by plane for the federal holiday. To handle the surge, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) predicts Thursday, May 21st will be the busiest day of the weekend to fly.
Trending: Trump-Endorsed Candidate Wins Republican Gubernatorial Primary
Delta Air Lines confirmed it will operate more than 25,600 flights between Thursday and Monday, May 25th, with Thursday serving as its peak travel day. Meanwhile, American Airlines expects Friday, May 22nd to be its busiest day for passenger volume.
According to AAA booking data, the top destinations for Americans to enjoy the holiday in the states will be Orlando, New York City, Las Vegas, Miami and San Francisco. For those traveling internationally, the top cities include Rome, Vancouver, Paris and London.
The majority of people traveling on the holiday will be driving, with AAA predicting that 39.1 million will travel by car to their destinations. An additional 2.2 million people plan to use alternate modes of transportation travel by other modes such as bus, train or cruise.
Transportation analytics company INRIX warns that drivers should brace for severe delays. INRIX predicts that Friday, May 22nd will see peak traffic between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. For the return trip on Monday, May 25th, INRIX recommends drivers to leave before 10 a.m., with the worst congestion expected from noon to 5 p.m.
Filling up the gas tank will prove pricey for motorists. The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline has surged to $4.52—a steep spike compared to last Memorial Day weekend when the national average sat at $3.17. This year’s holiday pump prices mark the highest numbers drivers have seen since the summer of 2022.
“Memorial Day travel is still reaching record levels, but with the smallest year-over-year increase in more than a decade,” said Tiffany Wright, a spokesperson for AAA. “Although travel demand remains strong, higher fuel prices and persistent inflation may cause some travelers to shorten trips, delay plans, or stay closer to home.”
“Travel costs remain a mixed picture this year,” said Debbie Haas, Vice President of Travel for AAA noted. “Travelers who booked early may have secured lower airfares, but rising fuel costs are putting upward pressure on prices. Working with a travel agent can help travelers find the best value, tap into options they may not see on their own, and make the most of their overall travel budget.”
Despite high gas prices, round-trip domestic flights are 6% cheaper than last year, with an average ticket costing $800, according to AAA.
Stay informed! Receive breaking news alerts directly to your inbox for free. Subscribe here. https://www.oann.com/alerts
What do YOU think? Click here to jump to the comments!
Join the conversation!
Please share your thoughts about this article below. We value your opinions, and would love to see you add to the discussion!