AAA: Travelers expected to set new Memorial Day record

JOHNSON, Arkansas — Millions of Americans are expected to travel away from home during the upcoming Memorial Day holiday weekend. AAA forecasts that 45 million people will travel more than 50 miles from home between May 21 and May 25.

While all modes of travel are expected to increase this year, cruises, buses and trains combined are expected to see more than 5% growth over 2025.

“That’s primarily being driven by the increase in cruise travel,” AAA spokesperson Nick Chabarria said. “This is the time of year when the Alaskan cruise season opens, and that’s been increasing in popularity over the last several years.”

Given recent concerns about a hantavirus outbreak aboard the cruise ship HV Hondius, Chabarria cautioned travelers to make sure their cruise line has appropriate health and safety standards in place.

“That still was a seemingly isolated incident,” Chabarria said. “Cruising in general has grown in popularity over the last several years, and AAA expects that to continue this summer and beyond.”

Air travel is expected to grow only 0.3% over 2025 but is up nearly 14% over 2019. Airline ticket prices are down 6% from 2025. Rising jet fuel prices tied to instability in the global crude oil market do not appear to be negatively impacting travelers yet, though Chabarria said later summer travel could be affected.

“We also may see other ways that airlines reduce their overall cost per traveler,” Chabarria said.

“Maybe changing their baggage policy or increasing fees for baggage. So it may not be a direct impact on the ticket price, but travelers may see airlines trying to save other ways this summer.”