Higher gas prices and airfare aren't stopping 45 million Americans from traveling for Memorial Day weekend this year, according to AAA's new forecast.

"Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer, and for most Americans, it’s a three-day weekend," said Stacey Barber, vice president of AAA Travel, in a statement. "Travel demand remains strong, and despite higher fuel prices, many people are prioritizing leisure travel during holiday breaks."

Between Thursday, May 21, and Monday, May 25, a record-setting 39.1 million Americans will be traveling by way of road trip – that's 87% of all predicted travelers for the holiday weekend. Air travel and cruises are also slightly up this year, with most trips booked before fuel prices affected travel costs.

What are the top Memorial Day weekend destinations?

Domestic travel is up for Memorial Day weekend, with most people kicking off summer with a theme park visit or Alaskan cruise.

According to AAA booking data, the top five domestic destinations are:

• Orlando
• Seattle
• New York
• Las Vegas
• Miami

Meanwhile, international travelers are mainly headed to Europe, with the most popular locales being Rome, Vancouver, Paris, London and Athens. (Source: USA Today)

Story Date: May 13, 2026