Photo: Getty Images

Travel over the Memorial Day weekend this year is expected to set a new record. AAA projects 45.1 million Americans (13.2% of the population) will travel 50 miles or more from home this Memorial Day weekend. This is an increase of 1.4 million travelers (3.1%) over 2024, and surpasses the previous record of 44 million travelers in 2005. The record volume is fueled by a record number of people traveling by car.

In the Pacific Region, Region (AK, CA, HI, OR, WA), 7.8 million people (14.4% of the population) are expected to travel, a 3.7% increase compared to 2024.

About 617,000 Oregonians will travel over the long weekend. The Memorial Day travel period is defined as Thursday, May 22 through Monday, May 26.

“AAA expects record travel this Memorial Day weekend, but that doesn’t mean that all folks are taking extravagant vacations to far-flung destinations. Rather, a majority are packing up the car and taking a road trip. In fact, AAA expects a record number to travel by car this Memorial Day weekend – 39.4 million including 506,000 Oregonians,” says Marie Dodds, public affairs director for AAA Oregon/Idaho. “The Memorial Day weekend is perfect for shorter getaways because many people get a day off work and kids are off from school.”

“Despite concerns about the economy, travelers say they’re taking advantage of the long holiday weekend to spend time with loved ones, and many are planning trips closer to home. Many will be driving to places like Central Oregon or the Oregon coast or visiting friends – some travelers will take day trips. Those who are traveling farther from home usually extend their trips beyond Memorial Day for a week or more. Many of these trips have been planned and booked months in advance,” says Doreen Loofburrow, vice president of travel for AAA Oregon/Idaho.

Top Memorial Day Destinations

AAA booking data reveals that theme parks, beaches and cruise ports are among the most popular destinations domestically and abroad, based on searches and bookings by members of AAA Oregon/Idaho.

With the majority of travelers taking trips by car, Bend, Portland, Eugene, Boise and the Oregon Coast are the most popular regional destinations for members of AAA Oregon/Idaho.

Anaheim tops the list of U.S. destinations because of the Disneyland Resort. Seattle and Vancouver, B.C. rank high because of the popularity of Alaska cruises this time of year. Hawaii and Cabo San Lucas are popular warm weather destinations. And the top European cities are London and Dublin.

AAA offers an entire library of digital resources to make your trip more enjoyable and it’s all available in one convenient spot at AAA.com/TripCanvas. If you are looking for maps, visit AAA.com/maps. With the AAA mobile app, you can request emergency road service, book a last-minute hotel, and even find the cheapest fuel and closest EV charging stations along the way. Download it at AAA.com/mobile or visit the App Store or Google Play.

Road trips will set record

Most Memorial Day travelers – 87.4% – will take a road trip. AAA projects 39.4 million people will travel by car over Memorial Day weekend, 1.1 million more than last year and the highest number for the holiday since AAA began tracking in 2000. Car travel is up 3% compared to last year and 4.6% higher than in 2019.

In Oregon, roughly 506,000 will drive to their Memorial Day destinations.

“Car travel is the preferred mode because it’s usually cheaper than taking the entire family on flights or on a cruise, and it’s a flexible and easy way to go,” says Dodds.

For drivers who are renting cars over Memorial Day weekend, AAA car rental partner Hertz says Friday, May 23 is expected to be the busiest day for pickup. SUVs are some of the most popular rental vehicles for the long holiday weekend. Hertz says the cities seeing the highest demand for rental cars include Orlando, Denver, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Miami, and Seattle.

Air travel will see highest volume since 2005; domestic airfares slightly more expensive than last year

Airports are gearing up for a busy holiday weekend. AAA expects 3.61 million air travelers, an increase of 1.8% over last year and 12.3% jump compared to 2019. In all, about 8% of holiday travelers will fly to their destinations. This will be the most crowded Memorial Day weekend at airports since 2005, when 3.64 million flew for the holiday as the travel industry finally rebounded post 9/11.

In Oregon, more than 64,000 will fly to their Memorial Day destinations.

This Memorial Day weekend, air ticket prices for U.S. destinations are up slightly compared to 2024. 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 roundtrip ticket costing $850. Most of those flights are to popular destinations including Chicago, New York, Orlando, Nashville, and Hawaii.

International flights are 4% less this Memorial Day weekend with the average roundtrip ticket costing $1,430.

Several factors play into how much travelers pay for airfare, including destination, number of stops, and fare class. For example, passengers who book nonstop flights with seat selection and carry-on bags included will likely pay more than those who select basic economy with a layover.

Tips for those flying this Memorial Day:

Check your airline’s website or download their app to keep up to date on your flight status, including checking one last time right before you leave for the airport. Allow push notifications so the airline can alert you of any changes.
Check-in online for flights 24 hours ahead.
Arrive at the airport at least two hours early for domestic flights and three hours for international. Expect long security lines due to the spike in travelers.
Airport parking lots will likely be at or near capacity. Many airports including Portland International airport let you check current availability https://www.flypdx.com/Parking. Some parking facilities let you book in advance.
Consider taking transit, using a ride sharing service or taxi, or getting a ride with a friend or family member to the airport so you don’t have to park onsite.
Carry your bags on your flight instead of checking them. If you do need to check bags, bring medications, a change of clothes, comfortable shoes, and any other necessary items with you on the flight. That way you’ll have provisions if your checked bags get lost or delayed. Make sure your bags have name tags, and also put your name and contact info inside each bag.
Bring a refillable water bottle and plan ahead for meals and snacks. Many airlines allow you to pre-order food up to 24 hours before your flight. The TSA allows solid foods through screening but liquids or gels (such as yogurt) must comply with the 3-1-1 liquids rule. Airport restaurants may have long lines so it could be challenging to buy food if you have a short connection time.
Consider booking a flight during non-peak travel periods to cut down on wait times. In general, early morning flights tend to have fewer delays and cancellations than flights later in the day.
Sign up for TSA PreCheck, Global Entry and/or CLEAR before your trip to expedite the security screening process. However, even these check-in lanes will be busier than usual. And confirm that the airports you use offer CLEAR as it’s not available at all airports.
If you’re flying in or out of Newark, New Jersey, check with your airline to see if you can change to another airport such as JFK or LaGuardia. Monitor your airline’s app or website and the Newark Airport website for the latest information. The Newark Liberty International Airport has been experiencing delays and flight cancellations due to air traffic controller staffing shortages and the closure of one of the airport’s busiest runways.

REAL ID:

TSA began enforcing REAL ID requirements on May 7. Passengers are required to have a REAL ID to board domestic flights. These are REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses or other state photo ID cards.

Acceptable alternatives to a REAL ID include:

A U.S. passport or passport card
Any government-issued passport
DHS Trusted Traveler cards, including Global Entry and SENTRI
U.S. military IDs (active duty, retired, and dependent)

Air travelers who don’t have a REAL ID may still be able to fly but must go through additional screening so plan on lots of extra time. The TSA officer may ask you to complete an identity verification process which includes collecting information such as your name and current address to confirm your identity. If your identity is confirmed, you will be allowed to enter the screening checkpoint, where you may be subject to additional screening.

Find out more about REAL ID on the TSA’s website.

Large bump in other modes of travel

AAA projects 2.08 million people will travel by other modes including cruise ships, trains and buses. This is up 8.5% compared to last year. 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.

Cruising’s growing popularity is highlighted by the strong demand for Alaska cruises 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.

Best and worst times to drive

AAA has partnered with INRIX, a global provider of transportation data and insights, to determine the best and worst times to drive over the long holiday weekend.

Drivers leaving Thursday or Friday before Memorial Day should hit the road early to avoid mixing with afternoon and evening commuters. Travelers going back home on Sunday, Monday or Tuesday should avoid the afternoon hours when return trips will peak.

During peak travel times, delays on major roads could be two times longer than normal travel times.

“Traffic will be busier than usual throughout the Memorial Day holiday weekend, but if you can avoid the peak travel times, you can avoid major congestion and delays. Traffic apps, 511 services, and local traffic reports can provide the latest info on traffic bottlenecks,” says Dodds. “Whenever you go, expect that it will probably take longer than usual to reach your destination.”

Hotels cost more, rental cars cost less this year

Hotels: bookings through AAA show that domestic hotels are 8% more expensive this Memorial Day weekend compared to last year. The average cost for a stay (which is typically a few nights) is $565.

International hotels are 18% more expensive this year with the average cost for a stay at $750.

Car Rentals: domestic car rentals are 8% cheaper this Memorial Day weekend compared to last year. The average total cost for a rental (which is typically for a few days) is $430.

International car rentals are 1% more expensive this Memorial Day weekend compared to 2024. The average total cost for a few days’ rental is $650.

Cruises: those departing from U.S. cities are 2% more expensive this Memorial Day weekend. The average cost is $2,065. Cruises departing from international cities are 3% cheaper this year with an average cost of $2,905.

AAA to the rescue this Memorial Day weekend

AAA expects to rescue about 380,000 motorists nationally and 5,000 in Oregon this Memorial Day weekend, with the most common issues being dead batteries, lockouts and flat tires.

AAA makes it easy to request assistance—by phone or text (1-800-AAA-HELP), app or online—and members can track the service technician’s progress as they make their way to your vehicle.

Make sure your car is road-trip ready. Have your vehicle inspected by a trusted repair shop, such as one of the more than 7,000 AAA Approved Auto Repair facilities across North America.

Be prepared for emergencies with a mobile phone and car charger and/or charging cable, a flashlight with extra batteries, a first-aid kit, a basic toolkit, and drinking water and snacks for all passengers and pets. Share your itinerary with family or friends so that authorities know where to start looking for you if you don’t reach your destination.

Find more info on getting road-trip ready at AAA.com/summerprep

Source: AAA