BOISE – If you’re traveling for Memorial Day weekend, be prepared to spend a few extra minutes in your car or at airport security. According to AAA, 45.1 million Americans, including 274,000 Idahoans, will kick off the summer travel season with a holiday vacation, setting a new Memorial Day travel record in the process.
“With 1.4 million additional travelers on the roads and in the air this year, getting an early jump on the day of your trip could spare you some serious slowdowns,” says AAA Idaho public affairs director Matthew Conde. “Despite lingering concerns over rising prices, many Americans are still committed to reconnecting with loved ones – but some may travel shorter distances to do it.”
The best times to travel by car are Thursday, May 22 before noon, and on Memorial Day before 2:00 PM. The worst times on the roads are Thursday and Friday afternoon before the holiday, and from 4:00 to 7:00 PM on Memorial Day. In other words, avoid afternoon travel if possible!
87% of this year’s Memorial Day travelers will go by car – with 39.4 million people taking a road trip (including 1 million more than last year), it’s a new record for auto travel. Travel by air is up 2% from a year ago, and travel by other modes (cruise, trains, buses) is up 8.5% from a year ago.
Where are Idahoans going?
This year’s top Memorial Day destinations include:
- Las Vegas
- Seattle, WA
- Anaheim/Los Angeles
- Oregon Coast
- Orlando, FL
- San Diego, CA
- Salt Lake City, UT
- Reno, NV
- Phoenix, AZ
- Nashville, TN
The most popular international destinations include:
- Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
- London
- Dublin
- Vancouver, B.C.
- Tokyo
- Rome
- Athens
- Edinburgh
- San Jose, Costa Rica
- Amsterdam
Most average travel costs are up, but rental car rates tap the brakes
- Domestic flights are 2% more expensive this Memorial Day weekend compared to last year
- Domestic hotel stays (of a few nights) are 8% more expensive compared to last year
- Domestic rental cars are 8% cheaper than a year ago
- Cruises are about 2% more expensive than a year ago
AAA to the rescue
AAA will provide emergency road service for as many as 360,000 vehicles nationwide over the Memorial Day weekend, including responding to 700 incidents here in the Gem State. A pre-trip vehicle inspection from a trusted mechanic could detect and resolve any issues before trouble strikes. For a AAA Approved Auto Repair facility in your area, visit AAA.com/autorepair.
“Focus on the most likely culprits – check your battery, engine, and tires,” Conde said. “If your vehicle has been running poorly this winter, now is a great time to get things back on track.”
AAA travel tips
Reserve your rental car early to guarantee the size and vehicle type you want.
Use the AAA mobile app to locate the cheapest fuel and EV charging stations along your route. Remember, the gas stations right off the freeway tend to cost more.
Reducing your speed by 5 to 10 MPH can improve fuel economy by up to 14%.
Bring plenty of snacks for your road trip or flight.
Consider the tradeoffs – a hotel near a prime destination will cost more than something further away. In a big city, you may be able to get a hotel near mass transit to better navigate the area.