Millions of Americans are preparing to hit the road for Memorial Day weekend.
Here’s what to know if you’re traveling this holiday.
Texans ready to travel for the Memorial Day weekend
According to AAA, 3.7 million Texans will travel over the Memorial Day holiday period between Thursday, May 22 and Monday, May 26, a 3% increase from 2024. This is the third straight year of record-breaking travel for this holiday statewide.
As AAA data shows, 45.1 million Americans will travel for the holiday weekend, a 3.1% increase from 2024 and a new national record for this holiday period. It surpasses the previous record of 44 million set in 2005.
Galen Grillo, AAA Texas vice president and general manager shared what he expects Texans will spend to travel for the holiday.
“Texans continue to prioritize travel with family and friends after the pandemic,” Grillo said. “This year, consumers will get some price relief at the gas pump, car rental counter, and when flying internationally, but they will spend more on domestic flights, hotels, cruises and tours compared to 2024.”
Where are people traveling for Memorial Day weekend?
According to AAA data, here are the top domestic destinations for Americans this upcoming Memorial Day weekend:
How many people are expected to travel by car vs. airplane?
Airports are gearing up for a surge in travelers as AAA forecasts 3.61 million air passengers this holiday weekend, a 1.8% rise from 2024 and a 12.3% increase compared with 2019.
Over 39 million drivers are expected to hit the road for the Memorial Day holiday. It’s a 3% increase from last year and a 4.6% boost from 2019.
Americans expected to travel by car vs. airplane
How much does gas cost in Texas?
The current average for Texas gas prices is $2.72 while the national average is $3.15.
AAA’s best times to travel during Memorial Day weekend
AAA recommends leaving during the following times:
Before noon on Thursday, May 22nd.
Before 11 a.m. on Friday, May 23rd.
Before noon on Saturday, May 24th.
Before 1 p.m. on Sunday, May 25th.
Before 2 p.m. on Memorial Day, Monday, May 26th
When is Memorial Day?
Memorial Day is observed annually on the last Monday of May. This year, it falls on May 26.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Memorial Day weekend: 3.7 million Texans are expected to travel