Record-breaking Memorial Day travel is expected this weekend, but travelers will face significant challenges due to ongoing infrastructure and staffing issues at major U.S. airports.

At a Glance

• A record 45.1 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home over Memorial Day weekend
• The travel projection is 3.2% higher than in 2023, breaking a 20-year-old record
• 39.4 million travelers will use cars, benefiting from gas prices averaging $3.13 per gallon (down from $3.59 last year)
• 3.6 million people will fly, a 1.8% increase from last year, despite ongoing airport disruptions
• Morning drives are recommended to avoid peak traffic congestion during the holiday weekend

Historic Travel Numbers Expected

AAA projects that 45.1 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home during the Memorial Day weekend (May 22-26), shattering the previous record of 44 million travelers set two decades ago. This surge represents a 3.2% increase compared to 2023 figures, highlighting Americans’ continued desire to travel despite economic pressures. Many families are adapting by choosing destinations closer to home as a strategy to manage rising costs while still enjoying the traditional start of summer vacation season.

The vast majority of holiday travelers—39.4 million—will reach their destinations by car, which is 1.2 million more drivers than last year. This increase comes as motorists enjoy some financial relief with current national gas price averages at $3.13 per gallon, significantly lower than last year’s $3.59 average. For many families, this price decrease makes road trips more economically feasible compared to other transportation options.

Air Travel Challenges

While 3.6 million Americans plan to fly this Memorial Day weekend—a 1.8% increase from last year—the aviation system is already showing signs of strain. Newark Airport has experienced three major system outages in less than two weeks, causing cascading flight delays and cancellations. Austin’s air traffic controller staffing shortages and equipment failures in Atlanta have further complicated the pre-holiday travel period, suggesting a potentially difficult summer travel season ahead.

Watch @krisvancleave's @CBSMornings visit to the FAA Command Center to learn how our air traffic and weather pros are prepared to get you to your #MemorialDay destination safely. Get helpful tips for managing flight delays and more at https://t.co/SUb5J5bHSG. #FAAWeatherSquad https://t.co/vGW3n5yYuw

— The FAA ✈️ (@FAANews) May 24, 2024

These disruptions come at a particularly challenging time as the air travel system prepares to handle increased passenger volumes. The current infrastructure limitations highlight the urgent need for modernization of America’s airports and air traffic control systems. Without significant improvements, experts predict that delays and cancellations will become increasingly common as passenger numbers continue to grow beyond pre-pandemic levels.

Navigating Road Travel

For the nearly 40 million Americans traveling by car, timing will be crucial. INRIX data indicates that mornings will offer the best driving conditions throughout the holiday weekend, while afternoons will experience the heaviest congestion. Thursday and Friday afternoons are expected to be particularly challenging in major metropolitan areas as holiday travelers mix with regular commuter traffic, potentially doubling normal travel times on some corridors.

The worst traffic conditions are anticipated on Thursday between 2 PM and 6 PM, Friday between 11 AM and 7 PM, and Monday between 4 PM and 8 PM as travelers return home. The traditional bottlenecks around major cities are expected to see the most significant delays, with interstate highways experiencing higher than normal volumes throughout the weekend. Transportation officials recommend travelers plan alternate routes and build extra time into their schedules.

Other Travel Modes

Beyond cars and planes, approximately 2 million Americans will utilize trains, buses, or cruise ships for their Memorial Day travel, showing a slight increase from the 1.9 million who used these transportation modes last year. Amtrak has added extra capacity on popular routes, while bus services have expanded their schedules to accommodate the holiday rush. Cruise lines report near-capacity bookings for Memorial Day weekend sailings, continuing the strong rebound the industry has experienced this year.

These alternative transportation options provide important flexibility for travelers seeking to avoid airport hassles or highway congestion. However, these systems also face their own infrastructure challenges, including aging rail tracks and limited station capacity in many regions. The holistic transportation picture underscores America’s need for comprehensive infrastructure investment across all travel modes to meet growing demand.