If you’re planning to travel for Memorial Day, you will be among a near-record number of people to be on the move this holiday weekend — a number not seen in almost 20 years. AAA projects 43.8 million travelers will head 50 miles or more from home over the five-day Memorial Day holiday period, which began on Thursday, May 23 and extends through Monday, May 27.

AAA said the total number of travelers is a 4% increase over last year and is very close to matching 2005’s record high of 44 million travelers.

“We haven’t seen Memorial Day weekend travel numbers like these in almost 20 years,” said Paula Twidale, Senior Vice President of AAA Travel. “We’re projecting an additional one million travelers this holiday weekend compared to 2019, which not only means we’re exceeding pre-pandemic levels but also signals a very busy summer travel season ahead.”  

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AAA is projecting at least one record will be broken as 38.4 million travelers are expected to hit the road. That’s the highest number for a Memorial Day weekend since AAA began tracking in 2000.

“Traveling by car is appealing for many people because of the convenience and flexibility it provides,” AAA said.

According to Hertz,  Orlando, Denver, Atlanta, Boston and Las Vegas are the cities displaying the highest rental demand.

Meanwhile, AAA expects 3.51 million will choose to fly this weekend, an increase of 4.8% over last year and a 9% jump compared to 2019.