45 Million Americans including 620,000 Oregonians to Travel for the Holiday Weekend
Updated May 25, 2026
PORTLAND, Ore., –AAA projects 45 million Americans (13.1% of the population) will travel 50 miles or more from home this Memorial Day weekend. This is up slightly compared to 2025. Travel by car is expected to set a new record with 39.1 million Americans taking a road trip.
About 620,000 Oregonians will travel over the long weekend. The Memorial Day travel period is defined as Thursday, May 21 through Monday, May 25.
“Memorial Day signals the unofficial start of summer, and for many Americans it’s a long weekend. Many made plans to travel before the uncertainty and higher prices brought on by the conflict with Iran. We’ll have to wait and see if travel demand continues to be robust for the 4th of July holiday,” says Marie Dodds, public affairs director for AAA Oregon/Idaho.
“Memorial Day weekend is ideal for quick getaways, as many people have an extra day off work and kids are out of school. Travelers often take advantage of the long weekend by planning trips closer to home—heading to Central Oregon, the Oregon coast, or spending time with friends and family. Those traveling farther away are typically taking trips that were planned and booked well in advance,” says Doreen Loofburrow, vice president of travel for AAA Oregon/Idaho.
Top Memorial Day Destinations
AAA booking data reveals that theme parks, beaches and cruise ports are among the most popular destinations domestically and abroad, based on searches and bookings by members of AAA Oregon/Idaho.
With the majority of travelers taking trips by car, Bend, Portland, Boise, Seatle, and the Oregon Coast are the most popular regional destinations for members of AAA Oregon/Idaho.
Anaheim tops the list of U.S. destinations because of the Disneyland Resort. Seattle and Vancouver, B.C. rank high because of the popularity of Alaska cruises this time of year. Hawaii and San Diego are popular warm weather destinations. And the top European cities are Amsterdam and London. Bergen, Norway makes the top 10 list this year for the first time.
AAA offers an entire library of digital resources to make your trip more enjoyable and it’s all available in one convenient spot at AAA.com/TripCanvas. If you are looking for maps, visit AAA.com/maps. With the AAA mobile app, you can request emergency road service, book a last-minute hotel, and even find the least expensive fuel and closest EV charging stations along the way. Download it at AAA.com/mobile or visit the App Store or Google Play.
Road trips will set record
Most Memorial Day travelers – 87% – will take a road trip. AAA projects 39.1 million people will travel by car over Memorial Day weekend, a slight increase over last year.
In Oregon, roughly 505,000 will drive to their Memorial Day destinations.
“Driving remains the top choice for travelers, even with gas prices more than a dollar per gallon higher than last year. For many families, hitting the road is still more affordable than flying or taking a cruise, and it offers flexibility and convenience that other options can’t match, says Dodds.
For drivers who are renting cars over Memorial Day weekend, AAA car rental partner Hertz says Thursday and Friday are expected to be the busiest pick-up days. The top five markets with the highest demand are Orlando, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Denver, and Boston. According to AAA booking data, domestic car rentals are 1% cheaper this holiday weekend compared to last year.
Air travel sees small increase
AAA projects 3.66 million travelers will take domestic flights over Memorial Day weekend, a small increase over last year. Air travelers make up 8% of the share of travelers this holiday weekend.
In Oregon, more than 68,000 will fly to their Memorial Day destinations.
According to AAA data, which is based on what travelers paid when they booked their Memorial Day weekend trips, roundtrip domestic flights are 6% cheaper compared to last year, with an average ticket costing $800. International roundtrip flights are 4% cheaper compared to last year with the average ticket costing $1,370. Most of those trips were booked weeks to months ago, before rising jet fuel prices started affecting airfare.
Travelers trying to book last-minute flights will find significantly higher prices. Consumer Price Index data released on May 12 by the U.S. Labor Department shows that fares in April were up 20.7% year over year. Fares increased 2.7% between March and April, adjusted for normal seasonal price changes.
Tips for those flying this Memorial Day:
- Check your airline’s website or download their app to keep up to date on your flight status, including checking one last time right before you leave for the airport. Allow push notifications so the airline can alert you of any changes.
- Check-in online for flights 24 hours ahead.
- Arrive at the airport at least two hours early for domestic flights and three hours for international. Expect long security lines due to the spike in travelers.
- Airport parking lots will likely be at or near capacity. Many airports including Portland International airport let you check current availability https://www.flypdx.com/Parking. Some parking facilities let you book in advance.
- Consider taking transit, using a ride sharing service or taxi, or getting a ride with a friend or family member to the airport so you don’t have to park onsite.
- Carry your bags on your flight instead of checking them. If you do need to check bags, bring medications, a change of clothes, comfortable shoes, and any other necessary items with you on the flight. That way you’ll have provisions if your checked bags get lost or delayed. Make sure your bags have name tags, and also put your name and contact info inside each bag. Consider using an Apple AirTag, Samsung Galaxy SmartTag, or another tracker if you do check your bags.
- Bring a refillable water bottle and plan ahead for meals and snacks. Many airlines allow you to pre-order food up to 24 hours before your flight. The TSA allows solid foods through screening but liquids or gels (such as yogurt) must comply with the 3-1-1 liquids rule. Airport restaurants may have long lines so it could be challenging to buy food if you have a short connection time.
- Consider booking a flight during non-peak travel periods to cut down on wait times. In general, early morning flights tend to have fewer delays and cancellations than flights later in the day.
- Sign up for TSA PreCheck, Global Entry and/or CLEAR before your trip to expedite the security screening process. However, even these check-in lanes will be busier than usual. And confirm that the airports you use offer CLEAR as it’s not available at all airports.
Other modes of travel see bump
AAA expects travel by other to increase by 5% with 2.2 million people traveling by bus, train, or cruise over Memorial Day weekend. Alaska cruise season kicks off this time of year, and the popularity of Alaska cruises is a driving factor in this category’s growth.
Roughly 47,000 Oregonians will travel by other modes.
AAA has partnered with INRIX, a global provider of transportation data and insights, to determine the best and worst times to drive over the long holiday weekend.
Drivers leaving Thursday or Friday before Memorial Day can expect the heaviest congestion between 3 and 6 p.m., as travelers mix with afternoon and evening commuters. Travelers going back home on Monday or Tuesday should avoid the afternoon hours when return trips will peak.
During peak travel times, delays on major roads could be as much as two times longer than normal travel times.
“Traveling outside peak hours can help you avoid the worst congestion. Traffic apps, 511 services, and local traffic reports can help keep you informed on traffic bottlenecks,” says Dodds. “No matter when you go, plan for extra time to reach your destination.
Here are projected travel times from INRIX showing drive times out of Portland:
Gas prices significantly more expensive than last year
Oregon drivers will pay the highest prices for gasoline ever for the Memorial Day holiday, while drivers nationwide will pay the most for gas over the holiday weekend since 2022. The Iran conflict has driven up crude oil prices and caused gas and diesel prices to soar since the conflict began on Feb. 28.
The national average is currently $4.51 and the Oregon average is $5.31 (as of May 25).
Find current fuel prices at https://gasprices.aaa.com/. For local news releases on gas prices, visit https://info.oregon.aaa.com/oregon-gas-prices/
Travel costs
Hotels: bookings through AAA show that domestic hotels are 4% cheaper this Memorial Day weekend compared to last year. The average cost for a stay (which is typically a few nights) is $540.
International hotels are 20% more expensive this year with the average cost for a stay at $880.
Car Rentals: domestic car rentals are 1% cheaper this Memorial Day weekend compared to last year. The average total cost for a rental (which is typically for a few days) is $430.
International car rentals are 4% cheaper this Memorial Day weekend compared to 2025. The average total cost for a few days’ rental is $630.
Cruises: those departing from U.S. cities are 14% more expensive this Memorial Day weekend. The average cost is $2,750. Cruises departing from international cities are 5% more expensive this year with an average cost of $3,840.
Tours: tour prices in the U.S. are 3% cheaper this Memorial Day compared to last year. The average cost is $1,750. Tours in international cities are 20% more expensive this year with an average cost of $3,350.
AAA to the rescue this Memorial Day weekend
AAA is ready to help drivers over the holiday weekend. Last year, AAA came to the rescue of more than 350,000 drivers nationally and 3,500 in Oregon through the Memorial Day weekend, with the most common issues being dead batteries, lockouts and flat tires.
AAA makes it easy to request assistance—by phone or text (1-800-AAA-HELP), app or online—and members can track the service technician’s progress as they make their way to your vehicle.
Make sure your car is road-trip ready. Have your vehicle inspected by a trusted repair shop, such as one of the more than 7,000 AAA Approved Auto Repair facilities across North America.
Be prepared for emergencies with a mobile phone and car charger and/or charging cable, a flashlight with extra batteries, a first-aid kit, a basic toolkit, and drinking water and snacks for all passengers and pets.
Share your itinerary with family or friends so that authorities know where to start looking for you if you don’t reach your destination.
Find more info on getting road-trip ready at AAA.com/summerprep
Travel agents, travel insurance are travel essentials:
AAA recommends working with a travel agent and considering travel and medical insurance options.
“Travel agents bring expertise to every trip, helping you plan and book anything from a quick weekend escape to a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. They can also stretch your travel budget further, thanks to access to exclusive deals and rates not available to the general public. And if unexpected issues arise, whether it’s a canceled flight or a medical emergency, you’ll have an advocate to support you every step of the way,” says Loofburrow.
AAA strongly recommends you consider travel insurance and/or medical insurance to cover unexpected delays or trip interruptions, or medical care you need when away from home. Travel insurance provides a safety net should something unexpected happen ahead of or during your trip. Medical travel insurance can provide coverage for illness and injuries and that may not be included in your regular health insurance plan. Travel agents can also advise on what travel insurance or medical insurance policy makes the most sense for your trip.
“Whether you’re taking a Memorial Day trip or a summer vacation, AAA encourages travelers to protect your investment with the peace of mind that comes from using a travel agent, and getting travel insurance and medical insurance,” adds Loofburrow. “Unexpected situations can arise when traveling so it’s always good to be prepared!”
Visit AAA.com/travel or call (800) 529-3222 to reach a AAA travel agent.
AAA asks drivers to think about safety
With travelers hitting the road for Memorial Day, AAA asks drivers to put safety first. Please drive sober and at safe speeds, and remember to Slow Down, Move Over. Every state, including Oregon, has Slow Down Move Over laws requiring drivers to slow down, and move over a lane if possible, if a vehicle is on the roadside with hazard lights on.
Memorial Day marks the start of the 100 Deadliest Days, the time between Memorial Day and Labor Day when crashes involving teen drivers spike. The summer months can be a dangerous time as teen drivers hit the road with more unsupervised driving time than during the school year.
In cooperation with AAA, S&P Global Market Intelligence (SPGMI) developed a unique methodology to forecast actual domestic travel volumes. The economic variables used to forecast travel for the current holiday are leveraged from SPGMI’s proprietary databases. These data include macroeconomic drivers such as employment, output, household net worth, asset prices including stock indices, interest rates, housing market indicators, and variables related to travel and tourism, including gasoline prices, airline travel, and hotel stays. AAA and SPGMI have quantified holiday travel volumes going back to 2000.
Historical travel volume estimates come from MMGY’s TRAVEL PERFORMANCE/MonitorSM. The PERFORMANCE/MonitorSM is a comprehensive study measuring the travel behavior of U.S. residents. MMGY contacts over 50,000 U.S. households each month to obtain detailed travel data, resulting in the unique ability to estimate visitor volume and spending, identify trends, and forecast U.S. travel behavior, all after the trips have been taken.
The travel forecast is reported in person-trips. In particular, AAA and SPGMI forecast the total U.S. holiday travel volume and expected mode of transportation. The travel forecast presented in this report was finalized the week of April 13, 2026.
Because AAA holiday forecasts focus on domestic leisure travel only, comparisons to TSA passenger screening numbers should not be made. TSA data includes all passengers traveling on both domestic and international routes, whether traveling for work or leisure. Additionally, TSA screens passengers each time they enter secured areas of the airport, therefore each one-way trip is counted as a passenger tally. AAA focuses on person-trips, which include the full round-trip travel itinerary. As a result, direct comparisons of AAA forecast volumes and daily TSA screenings represent different factors.
About AAA
Founded in 1902 by automotive enthusiasts advocating for better roads and safer mobility, AAA has grown into one of North America’s largest and most trusted membership organizations. Guided by our mission to Save Lives, Create Member Value, and Deliver Exceptional Experiences, AAA provides world-class roadside assistance, travel planning, exclusive discounts, and reliable financial and insurance services. Today, AAA enhances the life journey of more than 66 million members across North America, including over 58 million in the United States. Learn more or become a member at AAA.com.
Find current fuel prices at GasPrices.AAA.com.
AAA news releases, high resolution images, broadcast-quality video, fact sheets and podcasts are available on the AAA NewsRoom at NewsRoom.AAA.com.
Find local news releases at https://oregon.aaa.com/community/media/media-contacts.html
Fuel prices are updated daily at AAA’s Daily Fuel Gauge at AAA Gas Prices. For more info go www.AAA.com. AAA Oregon/Idaho provides more than 917,000 members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services, and is an affiliate of AAA National, serving more than 66 million members in North America.