AAA projects that a record 45 million Americans will travel during the upcoming Memorial Day weekend, reflecting continued strength in U.S. leisure travel demand despite higher fuel prices and ongoing economic pressures.

According to the annual travel forecast released by AAA, the number of travelers is expected to increase by 0.4% compared to last year’s holiday period, setting a new Memorial Day travel record in the United States.

Road travel will continue to dominate the holiday weekend, with approximately 39.1 million people expected to travel by car. Air travel is also projected to remain strong, with 3.66 million passengers flying domestically during the period.

One of the key trends highlighted in the report is the decrease in airfare prices. AAA noted that average domestic roundtrip tickets are currently around US$800, representing a 6% drop compared to the same period last year. Many travelers reportedly secured bookings before recent increases in fuel costs impacted airline pricing.

The report also points to significant growth in alternative transportation sectors, including cruises, trains and buses. Around 2.2 million travelers are expected to use these options, marking a 5.3% increase year-over-year. AAA linked much of this growth to the start of the Alaska cruise season, which continues to attract strong consumer demand.

Among the most popular U.S. destinations for Memorial Day travel are Orlando, Seattle, New York City, Las Vegas and Miami. Other top destinations include San Francisco, Anchorage, Chicago, Denver and Boston.

“Travel demand remains strong, and despite higher fuel prices, many people are prioritizing leisure travel during holiday breaks,” said Stacey Barber.

The latest forecast reinforces the continued recovery and expansion of the U.S. travel sector, particularly during major holiday periods that drive tourism, aviation and hospitality demand nationwide.