What Travelers Should Know About Traveling by Road, Air, or Cruise This Memorial Day Weekend

Travelers may want to pack their patience ahead of the busy Memorial Day travel weekend.

With 45.1 million Americans expected to travel over the five-day stretch from May 22 through May 26, the volume will be an increase of 1.4 million people and set a new record-high for travel over the holiday, according to AAA data shared with Travel + Leisure. 

For road warriors or airplane passengers venturing for a Memorial Day getaway, T+L has you covered with everything you need to know before you go. 

Traveling by Airplane

United Airlines anticipates it will fly 3.8 million people this weekend, a 300,000 increase over last year, in a statement shared with T+L. The top destinations include Orlando, Florida; Las Vegas; and Boston.

The airline also provided tech tips, such as using the United app for bag drops and utilizing TSA PreCheck Touchless ID when available at major airports such as Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).

For passengers concerned about potential travel trouble at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), United Airlines has extended its flexibility waiver for EWR flights through May 23. 

Road Trips and Rental Cars

Americans are hitting the road more than any other Memorial Day Weekend: 39.4 million will travel by car, a 1 million increase over last year. 

The biggest surge in road traffic will occur in Los Angeles along the I-5 North on May 23 at 5:00 p.m., with an 83 percent surge in traffic, according to AAA data. Other popular routes include Houston’s I-45 South to Galveston and Denver’s I-25 South from Fort Collins to the Mile High City. 

Long weekend gas prices will be $3.02 a gallon, which will be the lowest level over the last four years. Gas prices spiked in 2022 when they were a whopping $4.60 a gallon, according to a GasBuddy analysis. 

“While we’re forecasting the lowest summer gas prices in years, economic jitters are slightly dampening optimism, but we still expect a robust travel season, with millions of Americans hitting the road, many for extended trips,” Patrick De Haan, GasBuddy’s Head of Petroleum Analysis, said in the report. 

Travelers hitting the road may also be navigating highways in rental cars, as Hertz told T+L it has seen high demand for advance bookings in popular markets like Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and Seattle. The car rental company has also debuted a new fleet of Jeep Wrangler 4xE and is celebrating with a special 10 percent discount on Jeep rentals. 

Setting Sail on Cruise Ships

The summer travel season also kicks off with cruise passengers voyaging throughout different parts of the United States. AAA data revealed that Alaska ports including Fairbanks, Anchorage, and Juneau will be the most popular destinations for domestic cruises. 

“Cruising’s growing popularity is highlighted by the strong demand for Alaska cruises this season,” AAA shared in its Memorial Day Weekend release. 

The Memorial Day Weekend is also a popular time to book a new vacation. For example, Royal Caribbean shared with T+L that it is running a promotion with over $800 in instant savings for bookings on its ships Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas, with additional promotions for second guests and children.