AAA expects Memorial Day travel at highest level since 2005

AAA projects that 39.3 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more away from home this Memorial Day weekend.

That’s 1 million more travelers than last year taking to the roads, skies, rails and water, creating the highest Memorial Day travel volume since 2005, the organization said in a news release.

“The expected spike in Memorial Day travel mirrors the positive growth seen throughout the travel industry this year,” Carol DiOrio, VP of travel at AAA Western and Central New York, said. “Higher confidence has led to more consumer spending, and many Americans are choosing to allocate their extra money on travel this Memorial Day.”

AAA defines the Memorial Day holiday travel period as the time between Thursday and Monday.

Gas prices

Drivers will pay the highest Memorial Day gas prices since 2015. Airfares, car rental rates and mid-range hotels are all trending higher than last Memorial Day.

The national average price for a gallon of gas today is $2.34, 12 cents more than last year. The New York state average is $2.50, AAA said.

Despite the higher prices at the pump, the vast majority of holiday travelers (88.1 percent) are still planning to hit the road.

Automobile travel will grow by 2.4 percent this Memorial Day, with 34.6 million Americans planning a holiday road trip.

This year will mark the third consecutive year of growth in Memorial Day travel with 2.7 percent more travelers expected than last year, AAA said.

The AAA forecast also says 2.9 million Americans are taking to the skies this Memorial Day, increasing air travel by 5.5 percent over last year.

In addition, 1.75 million travelers will look to other modes of transportation, including cruises, trains and buses, representing an increase 2.9 percent from 2016.

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com