Record Memorial Day Travel Expected Despite Gas Prices Hitting Four Year High

Record-Breaking Holiday Travel Despite Soaring Costs

This Memorial Day weekend is shaping up to be the busiest on record for American travelers, with AAA expecting more than 44.9 million Americans to travel at least 50 miles from home over the Memorial Day holiday . More than 39 million will travel by car , defying gas prices that have reached their highest levels in four years.

The national average for a gallon of regular is at $4.56, up 3 cents over last week and $1.38 higher than this time last year . AAA reports the average fill up is costing drivers $22 more per tank than it did last Memorial Day , yet Americans remain undeterred in their holiday plans.

"Memorial Day travel is still reaching record levels, but with the smallest year-over-year increase in more than a decade," AAA spokesman Mark Jenkins said. "Although travel demand remains strong, higher fuel prices and persistent inflation may cause some travelers to shorten trips, delay plans, or stay closer to home."

Strategic Timing Can Save Hours on the Road

Transportation experts have identified specific windows when drivers can either breeze through their journeys or face grueling delays. The heaviest congestion will hit between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 21, and Friday, May 22 . Thursday afternoon and evening traffic is expected to surge between noon and 9 pm as everyone attempts to escape work early at exactly the same time .

Friday travelers will have the best luck hitting the road before 11am , while Thursday departure window for Memorial Day weekend 2026 is after 9 p.m., once commuter volumes have cleared the interstates . For those returning home, afternoon traffic on Monday, May 25, will likely be especially congested between 12 p.m. and 5 p.m.

Sunday is expected to see the lightest traffic overall , offering travelers a calm respite in the middle of the holiday chaos. Drivers leaving New York for the Jersey Shore via the Garden State Parkway are expected to encounter peak congestion at 2:15 pm on Friday, with travel times projected to be 102% longer than normal .

Travelers Adapt but Don't Abandon Plans

Despite the financial pinch, families are finding creative ways to maintain their holiday traditions. "What we're seeing is, people adjusting the way they travel," said AAA Spokesperson Mark Jenkins . Some are opting for shorter trips or destinations closer to home, while others are simply accepting the higher costs as part of their vacation budget.

Many people booked trips before gas prices went up , helping to insulate them from the recent surge. However, AAA discourages cost-cutting measures that increase the risk of breakdowns and expensive repairs , as penny-pinching on vehicle maintenance could lead to costly roadside emergencies during peak travel times.

The combination of record travel numbers and elevated fuel costs represents a new dynamic in American holiday travel. While families prove their resilience by adapting rather than canceling plans, the coming months will reveal whether sustained high gas prices eventually reshape summer travel patterns. For now, the open road beckons despite the premium price tag.