According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), approximately 42.3 million Americans are expected to travel 50 miles or more from their homes during the 2023 Memorial Day weekend, representing a significant 7% surge compared to 2022. This year, an additional 2.7 million individuals will take part in the unofficial kickoff of summer, indicating a promising trend for the upcoming months.
“This is expected to be the third busiest Memorial Day weekend since 2000, when AAA started tracking holiday travel,” said Paula Twidale, Senior Vice President of AAA Travel. “More Americans are planning trips and booking them earlier, despite inflation. This summer travel season could be one for the record books…”
Compared to the previous year, Memorial Day road trips have seen a 6% rise. A staggering 37.1 million Americans are expected to travel by car, reflecting an increase of over 2 million individuals. Additionally, this holiday season benefits from lower gas prices in comparison to last year, when the national average exceeded $4 per gallon. However, despite the favorable prices at the pump, car travel during this holiday period falls short of pre-pandemic levels by approximately 500,000 travelers.
There is a noticeable shift in transportation preferences this holiday season, as more individuals are opting for alternative modes such as buses and trains. The total number of travelers choosing these modes is projected to reach 1.85 million, showcasing a substantial 20.6% increase compared to the previous year.
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