A recent AAA research predicts the busiest Memorial Day weekend in two decades, with an anticipated 43.8 million travelers taking to the roads and airways for “the unofficial start of summer.”
AAA estimates that approximately 38 million people will travel by vehicle, with an additional 3.51 million passengers boarding aircraft. Another almost 2 million travelers will travel by bus, ship, or train.
Because high travel equals high traffic, here are some things to consider as you prepare for the holiday.
When is Memorial Day?
Memorial Day is May 27, and the biggest travel days are May 25, 26, and 27. The holiday honors individuals who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. Since its inception in 1971, the national holiday has been observed annually on the final Monday of May.
According to CBS News, the top travel destinations for Memorial Day this year were Las Vegas, Florida, Denver, and Los Angeles.
USA Today offers a guide to the best and worst travel times.
- Drivers leaving on Thursday, May 23, or Friday, May 24, are advised to hit the road before 11 a.m. or after 7 p.m.
- Drivers leaving on Saturday, May 25, should travel before 1.pm. and after 6 p.m. to avoid traffic jams.
- Travelers on Sunday, May 26, should leave before 1 p.m.
- For those returning home on Monday, May 27, hit the road after 7 p.m. to avoid congestion.
Is Memorial Day a busy travel day?
Due to the large number of travelers, Memorial Day traffic can be quite congested. According to USA Today, the following days and times are the worst for traveling through major cities:
Chicago
- Worst route: Milwaukee to Chicago via I-94 E.
- Worst day: Sunday, May 26.
- Worst time: 4:30 p.m.
Denver
- Worst route: Fort Collins to Denver via I-25.
- Worst day: Sunday, May 26.
- Worst time: 4:15 p.m.
Los Angeles
- Worst route: LA to Bakersfield via I-5 N.
- Worst day: Thursday, May 23.
- Worst time: 6:15 p.m.
San Francisco
- Worst route: San Francisco to Napa via I-80 E.
- Worst day: Friday, May 24.
- Worst time: 11 a.m.
Washington D.C.
- Worst route: Washington, D.C., to Baltimore via Balt/Wash Pkwy N.
- Worst day: Friday, May 24.
- Worst time: 2:15 p.m.
How many people will travel Memorial Day weekend?
a whole “44 million travelers will head 50 miles or more from home over the Memorial Day holiday travel period,” according to AAA. But why is Memorial Day so appealing?
According to Travel + Leisure, this “three-day weekend marks the glorious beginning of summer, when beaches and pools reopen to the public and amusement park rides creak back into service.”
The good weather and long weekend, combined with an irresistible desire to get outside, result in a lot of travel.
One traveler, Joy Noelle Balanag, told CBS News that she scheduled her vacation months in advance to avoid congestion.
“I definitely am excited for this travel season,” she said. “2024 feels just like almost a breath of fresh air. I do plan on traveling on airplanes. I do plan on taking my car. Just, like, seeing where this summer season takes me.”
Paula Twidale, senior vice president of AAA Travel, said, “We’re projecting an additional one million travelers this holiday weekend compared to 2019, which not only means we’re exceeding pre-pandemic levels but also signals a very busy summer travel season ahead.”