Memorial Day holiday travel to reach 12-year high

Thursday, 16 May, 2018 0

This month’s Memorial Day holiday will see the most Americans for a dozen years hit the road and take to the air.

According to AAA, more than 41.5 million travelers will kick off the summer with a Memorial Day trip, which is up about 5% on last year.

Nearly two million additional people will take planes, trains or drive with the busiest days expected to Thursday and Friday (May 24-25).

Despite gas prices at their highest level since 2014, it hasn’t deterred travelers from planning journeys.

"The highest gas prices since 2014 won’t keep travelers home this Memorial Day weekend. A strong economy and growing consumer confidence are giving Americans all the motivation they need to kick off what we expect to be a busy summer travel season," said Bill Sutherland, senior vice president, AAA Travel and Publishing.

The vast majority will drive to their destinations, although Memorial Day air travel is up again for the fifth consecutive year, AAA says.

It says 3.1 million people will travel by air and 1.8 million passengers will take trains, buses and cruise ships.

AAA’s Leisure Travel Index estimates airfares are about 7% lower than last Memorial Day.

TravelMole Editorial Team

Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.

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