YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) – AAA projects more than 38 million Americans will travel this Memorial Day weekend — the second-highest Memorial Day travel volume on record and the most since 2005.
Spurred by the lowest gas prices in more than a decade, about 700,000 more people will travel compared to last year, says AAA. The Memorial Day holiday travel period is defined as Thursday, May 26 to Monday, May 30.
Americans paid the cheapest quarterly gas prices in 12 years during the first three months of 2016. AAA estimates that Americans have saved more than $18 billion on gas so far this year compared to the same period in 2015. The strong labor market and rising personal income are also motivating people to travel for Memorial Day this year.
More than 6.1 million people from the East North Central states (Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin) expect to travel this holiday weekend, up 1.6 percent from 2015.
East North Central region travel
- Car travel: 5.6 million (up 1.8 percent from 2015)
- Air travel: 306,000 (up 1.3 percent from 2015)
- Other modes of transportation: 242,000 (down 3.2 percent from 2015)
Lowest Memorial Day gas prices in 12 years expected
The national average price for a gallon of gasoline today is $2.28, 46 cents less than last year. AAA expects most U.S. drivers will pay the lowest Memorial Day gas prices since 2004. According to a recent AAA survey, 55 percent of Americans say they are more likely to take a road trip this year due to lower gas prices.
Airfares fall significantly this Memorial Day
According to AAA’s Leisure Travel Index, average airfares for the top 40 domestic flight routes will be 26 percent cheaper this Memorial Day, with an average roundtrip ticket costing $165. Hotel costs are in line with last Memorial Day. AAA Three Diamond Rated hotels will average $183, while a AAA Two Diamond Rated hotel will average $151 nightly. Daily car rental rates will average $62, three percent less than last year.
AAA to rescue more than 350,000 motorists this Memorial Day
AAA expects to rescue more than 350,000 motorists nationally during the Memorial Day holiday travel period, with the primary reasons being dead batteries, lockouts and flat tires. AAA recommends motorists check the condition of their battery and tires before heading out on a road trip.
Memorial Day travelers heading to warm weather destinations & cities
Many Memorial Day travelers will head to warm weather destinations and historic American cities to kick off their summer travels. The top destinations this Memorial Day weekend, based on AAA.com and AAA travel agency sales, are:
- Orlando
- Myrtle Beach
- Washington, D.C.
- New York
- Miami
- San Francisco
- Boston
- Honolulu
- Los Angeles
- South Padre Island
AAA’s projections are based on economic forecasting and research by IHS Global Insight. The Colorado-based business information provider teamed with AAA in 2009 to jointly analyze travel trends during major holidays. AAA has been reporting on holiday travel trends for more than two decades. The complete AAA/IHS Global Insight 2016 Memorial Day holiday travel forecast can be found here.
