Stacey Barber, vice president of AAA Travel, this week said Memorial Day weekend getaways don’t have to be extravagant and costly.
“While some travelers embark on dream vacations and fly hundreds of miles across the country, many families just pack up the car and drive to the beach or take a road trip to visit friends,” Barber said. “Long holiday weekends are ideal for travel because many people have an extra day off work and students are off from school.”
AAA projects 45.1 million people will travel at least 50 miles from home over the Memorial Day holiday period from Thursday, May 22, to Monday, May 26.
This year’s domestic travel forecast is an increase of 1.4 million travelers compared to last year.
But despite the increase in holiday travel volume projections, and outside of the dramatic impacts on travel during COVID-19 in 2020, 2025 is projected to have the lowest year-over-year growth rate in nearly a decade (since 2016) for the Memorial Day holiday.
Economic uncertainties and concerns over rising prices are on the minds of travelers. However, many Americans say they’re taking advantage of the long holiday weekend to spend time with loved ones, even if the trips are closer to home.
Travelers by mode of transportation
• By car — AAA projects 39.4 million people will travel by car over Memorial Day weekend. Driving is the preferred mode of transportation during holiday travel periods, with 87% of Memorial Day travelers choosing to take road trips.
This year, drivers have the benefit of cheaper gas prices. Last Memorial Day, the national average for a gallon of regular was $3.59. This spring — thanks to lower crude oil prices — gasoline prices haven’t seen typical seasonal spikes.
With the unofficial start of summer kicking off the busy driving season, demand is expected to rise, and pump prices may creep up along with it. Gas prices typically peak in the summer and start coming down when schools go back in session in the fall.
• By air — AAA projects 3.61 million people will travel by air. While this Memorial Day weekend isn’t expected to set an air travel record (that was set back in 2005 with 3.64 million travelers), this year’s numbers are projected to surpass pre-pandemic levels by 12%.
AAA booking data — based on what travelers paid when booking Memorial Day weekend flights — shows domestic flights are 2% more expensive compared to last year, with the average round trip ticket costing $850. Most of those flights are to popular destinations like Chicago, New York, Orlando, Denver and Seattle.
• By other modes — AAA projects 2.08 million people will travel by train, bus or cruise over the 2025 Memorial Day weekend. This category is now surpassing pre-pandemic numbers from 2018 and 2019, but doesn’t reach the record numbers of the early 2000s when more people were choosing trains and buses post 9/11.
The growing popularity of cruises is highlighted by the strong demand for Alaska excursions this season. Top domestic cruise destinations for Memorial Day weekend include Fairbanks, Anchorage and Juneau.
Overall, travelers are turning to cruises in record numbers. Earlier this year, AAA projected that a record 19 million Americans planned to take cruises in 2025.
AAA’s ways to save when traveling
• Gas — Even with gas prices lower than last Memorial Day weekend, drivers are looking to save at the pump.
Start by peeking at prices on the AAA fuel site and use the AAA gas cost calculator to get an idea of how much your road trip will cost.
Once you hit the road, keep in mind the gas stations right off the interstate are usually the most expensive. If you’re looking to save money, drive a little bit farther down the road for cheaper gas.
After you fill up, avoid speeding. Fuel economy peaks around 50 mph on most cars, then drops off as speeds increase. Reducing highway speeds by 5 to 10 mph can increase fuel economy by as much as 14%.
• Flights — Flexibility is key to scoring cheaper airfare.
Booking flights that depart on Tuesdays or return on Wednesdays will save you money, since weekends flights tend to be more expensive.
If you’re not picky about selecting a seat ahead of time or boarding at the end, basic economy can be a great option for budget-conscious travelers, just read the fine print when it comes to restrictions.
Reserving airport parking ahead of time can save you money.
To save money on meals, bring your own. You can’t go through TSA security with beverages, but you can bring food from home. Having treats in your bag will lessen the temptation of splurging on snacks at the airport.
• Hotels and rental cars — Where you will stay and how you will get around are two decisions you shouldn’t put off until the last minute. Reserve hotels and rental cars as soon as you know your trip dates.
Hotels in prime locations and tourist areas tend to be more expensive than hotels a bit removed from the action. In major cities, look for hotels within walking distance to public transit to save money on transportation.
Reserving a rental car early guarantees you’ll get what you want. To save money, consider the type of vehicle you want versus what you actually need. If you’re traveling with a small group and don’t need a ton of room, smaller vehicles tend to be more economical and fuel-efficient.
Reach Bill O’Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
