AAA expects a significant rebound in the number of Americans planning to travel this Memorial Day holiday weekend.
More than 37 million people are expected to travel 50 miles or more between May 27 and May 31. That’s a 60% increase from last year, when only 23 million traveled, the lowest on record since AAA began recording in 2000.
In Michigan, more than 1 million residents are forecast to take a trip during the holiday weekend. That’s almost a 57% increase from last year, when fewer than 700,000 residents traveled, due to the pandemic.
“A year’s worth of pent-up demand is being unleashed this summer, as Americans anticipate the kick off to the season,” said Debbie Haas, Vice President of Travel for AAA. “Travel bookings with AAA – The Auto Club Group have surged recently, setting the stage for what should be a busy holiday weekend and an exciting summer.”
Haas added that travelers should plan ahead, as many theme parks and hotels will still be running at reduced capacity, and some may require proof of vaccination.
Additionally, INRIX predicts drivers will encounter the longest travel delays before the holiday weekend, particularly during the afternoons on Thursday, May 27 and Friday, May 28.
Travelers should also expect higher gas prices, which are trending more than $1 higher than last year, when demand plummeted as much of the country was under stay-at-home orders. At $2.95 per gallon, Michigan gas price averages are now about 12 cents more than this time in May 2019.
Related
The top Memorial Day weekend destinations include the following:
Road Trips:
1. Las Vegas, NV
2. Orlando, FL
3. Myrtle Beach, SC
4. Denver, CO
5. Nashville, TN
AAA Travel Bookings:
1. Orlando, FL
2. Las Vegas, NV
3. Honolulu, HI
4. Anchorage, AK
5. Colorado Springs, CO