Auto Club Projects 3.6 Million Southern Californians Will Travel Over Memorial Day Weekend

The Auto Club of Southern California expects 3.6 million Southern California residents will travel at least 50 miles from home over the Memorial Day holiday period between Thursday, May 21 and Monday, May 25. This year's travel forecast is 1% higher than 2025 and 8.1% higher than 2019 before the pandemic. Driving remains the most popular way to travel, with 2.9 million Southern Californians expected to take a road trip over the holiday period.

Across the U.S., AAA projects 45 million Americans will travel for the holiday weekend, slightly higher than last year and setting a new Memorial Day weekend travel record. Nationally, 39.1 million travelers are expected to drive and 3.66 million are expected to fly to their destinations.

"Southern Californians continue to make travel a priority as we head into the unofficial start of summer," said Auto Club spokesperson Kandace Redd. "Even with higher fuel prices, travel demand remains strong, so drivers should plan ahead, expect busy roads and make safety their top priority."

Memorial Day Travel Volumes by Modes of Transportation

By Car: AAA projects 2.9 million Southern Californians will travel by car over Memorial Day weekend, an increase of 0.6% from last year and 6% from 2019 before the pandemic. Auto travel remains the dominant mode for holiday getaways. Nationally, 39.1 million people are expected to drive, making up 87% of Memorial Day travelers.

With millions of travelers on the road, AAA reminds drivers to put safety first, Slow Down, Move Over, and drive sober. Before hitting the road, check your vehicle's battery, tire pressure and fluids. Last Memorial Day weekend, AAA responded to more than 350,000 emergency roadside assistance calls nationwide to help stranded drivers with issues like dead batteries, flat tires and empty fuel tanks.

By Air: AAA projects 388,000 Southern California residents will take domestic flights over Memorial Day weekend, up 0.9% from last year and 16.3% higher than 2019. Nationally, 3.66 million travelers are expected to fly, also a slight increase from 2025.

By Other Modes: AAA projects 279,000 Southern Californians will travel by bus, train, cruise or other modes, up 6.1% from last year and 20.3% from 2019. Nationally, travel by other modes is expected to rise 5.3%, with 2.2 million people traveling by bus, train or cruise. Alaska cruise season kicks off this time of year, and the popularity of Alaska cruises is a driving factor in this category's growth.

Travel Costs

While gas prices are higher than last Memorial Day weekend, AAA Travel booking data shows some trip costs are lower than last year. According to AAA data, which is based on what travelers paid when they booked their Memorial Day weekend trips, roundtrip domestic flights are 6% cheaper compared to last year, with an average ticket costing $800. Domestic car rentals are also 1% cheaper this holiday weekend compared to last year.

For drivers, fuel costs remain an important part of road trip planning. AAA encourages travelers to compare local pump prices at gasprices.aaa.com and use the AAA Gas Cost Calculator to estimate fuel costs before hitting the road.

Best/Worst Times to Drive

INRIX, a provider of transportation data and insights, says Memorial Day weekend drivers should expect the heaviest congestion on Thursday and Friday between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. and Monday afternoon. Sunday should be the lightest day for traffic, barring any unexpected events on the road.

In Southern California, one of the busiest routes is expected to be Interstate 10 eastbound toward Palm Springs and Phoenix, which is expected to be up to 88% more congested than normal on the evening of Friday, May 22. Travel time from Los Angeles to Palm Springs at that time is expected to be 4.4 hours, while it's expected to take 8.6 hours to get from Los Angeles to Phoenix. Getting to Las Vegas from Los Angeles on Interstate 15 that Friday evening is expected to take 5.7 hours, a 38% increase over normal traffic.

INRIX projections indicate the best times to travel by car are Thursday after 9 p.m., Friday before 11 a.m., Saturday before 11 a.m. and Monday before 10 a.m. Sunday is expected to have minimal traffic impact.

Top Destinations this Memorial Day Weekend

AAA booking data for the Memorial Day weekend shows that nationally, the top five domestic destinations are Orlando, Seattle, New York, Las Vegas and Miami. Internationally, the top destinations for U.S. travelers are Rome, Vancouver, Paris, London and Athens. Locally, year-round popular destinations such as San Diego, Las Vegas and nearby national parks are expected to be the most busy.

Auto Club Offers Travel Tips this Memorial Day and Beyond

• Bring a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or another acceptable form of identification, such as a valid passport, to board a domestic flight.

• Inspect vehicle tires, battery and fluid levels before a long road trip.

• Pack food, water, an emergency kit, first-aid kit and mobile phone charger in case you break down.

• Reserve airport parking ahead of time to save time on departure day.

• Get to airports at least two hours before domestic flights and three hours before international flights.

• Sign up for TSA PreCheck or CLEAR to speed up the security process.

• Download your airline's app and use flight tracking tools to monitor your aircraft the day of departure.

• Avoid checking a bag, if possible. Carry-on luggage allows you to be more flexible in the event of a delay or cancellation.

• Book summer travel now. Strong demand can mean fewer options the longer travelers wait.

• Work with a trusted Auto Club travel advisor who can help find savings and assist with rebooking if needed.

• Consider travel insurance to protect your investment.

AAA's Ways to Save When Traveling

Gas: With gas prices higher than last Memorial Day weekend, drivers can take a few simple steps to help save at the pump.

• Check current prices on the AAA fuel site and use the AAA Gas Cost Calculator to estimate how much your road trip will cost.

• Gas stations right off the interstate are often more expensive. Driving a little farther from the highway may help you find a lower price.

• Avoid speeding. Fuel economy peaks around 50 mph on most cars, then drops off as speeds increase. Reducing highway speeds by 5 to 10 mph can increase fuel economy by as much as 14%.

Flights: Flexibility is key to scoring cheaper airfare.

• Compare different departure and return dates, since weekend flights tend to be more expensive.

• If you are not picky about selecting a seat ahead of time or boarding earlier, basic economy can be a budget-conscious option. Read the fine print for restrictions.

Hotels and Rental Cars: Where you will stay and how you will get around are two decisions travelers should not put off until the last minute. Reserve hotels and rental cars as soon as you know your trip dates.

• Hotels in prime locations and tourist areas tend to be more expensive than hotels a bit removed from the action. In major cities, consider hotels within walking distance to public transit to save money on transportation.

• Reserve a rental car early to increase the chances of getting the vehicle you want. To save money, consider the type of vehicle you want versus what you actually need. Smaller vehicles are often more economical and fuel-efficient.

• AAA members can look for hotel discounts and exclusive benefits when booking through AAA travel partners, including Hertz.

Auto Club safety reminders:

• Slow Down, Move Over for tow trucks, police, fire, EMS and any disabled vehicle on the roadside when it is safe to do so.

• Buckle up every passenger, every trip, including those in the back seat.

• Obey speed limits and adjust your speed for traffic, weather and road conditions.

• Drive sober and never get behind the wheel after drinking alcohol or using impairing substances.

About AAA

Founded in 1902 by automotive enthusiasts advocating for better roads and safer mobility, AAA has grown into one of North America's largest and most trusted membership organizations. Guided by our mission to Save Lives, Create Member Value, and Deliver Exceptional Experiences, AAA provides world-class roadside assistance, travel planning, exclusive discounts, and reliable financial and insurance services. Today, AAA enhances the life journey of more than 66 million members across North America, including over 58 million in the United States. Learn more or become a member at AAA.com.