AAA expects big rebound in Memorial Day weekend travel, compared to 2020

More than 37 million people are expected to travel 50 miles or more from home during the Memorial Day holiday weekend period between Thursday and Monday.

AAA sees the estimate as a “significant rebound,” representing an increase of 60 percent from last year when only 23 million traveled amid the pandemic, the lowest on record since AAA began recording in 2000.

At the same time, the “expected strong increase” in demand compared to last year’s holiday still represents 13 percent — or nearly 6 million — fewer travelers than in 2019, before the pandemic arrived.

AAA urges those who choose to travel this year to use caution and take measures to protect themselves and others as the pandemic continues.

“As more people get the COVID-19 vaccine and consumer confidence grows, Americans are demonstrating a strong desire to travel this Memorial Day,” said Paula Twidale, senior VP at AAA Travel. “This pent-up demand will result in a significant increase in Memorial Day travel, which is a strong indicator for summer, though we must all remember to continue taking important safety precautions.”

AAA notes that the actual number of holiday travelers could fluctuate as Memorial Day approaches. An increase in reported cases attributed to new COVID-19 variants could prompt some people to stay home. Others may note the “strong progress” in vaccinations and make last-minute decisions to travel, AAA said.

Another factor contributing to the expected increase in travel this holiday is the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) recently updated guidance that fully vaccinated people can travel domestically at low risk to themselves, while taking proper precautions.

By car, by air

With 34 million Americans planning Memorial Day road trips, auto travel is expected to increase 52 percent compared to 2020, AAA said.

Nearly 12 million more Americans will travel by car this holiday than in 2020, though this is still 9 percent less than in 2019. More than 9 in 10 Memorial Day travelers will drive to their destinations, as many Americans continue to substitute road trips for travel via planes, trains, and other modes of transportation.

After a “historically low year” of air travel in 2020, this Memorial Day will see nearly 2.5 million Americans boarding airplanes, nearly six times more than last year. Still, 750,000 fewer people will take to the skies this holiday compared to 2019.

Meanwhile, just 237,000 Americans are expected to travel by other modes, including bus and train during the Memorial Day holiday weekend. This is the second-lowest volume on record, higher only than the 185,000 who traveled in 2020. In 2021, travel via these modes will be 88 percent below 2019 levels.