Record-Breaking Memorial Day Travel Expected

May 26, 2023

Memorial Day weekend marks the start of summer travel for many families across the United States. This weekend will be no different, with millions nationwide traveling by planes, trains and automobiles.

AAA reports on the record-breaking travel,

“AAA projects 42.3 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home this Memorial Day weekend*, a 7% increase over 2022. This year, 2.7 million more people will travel for the unofficial start of summer compared to last year, a sign of what’s to come in the months ahead.”

“This is expected to be the third busiest Memorial Day weekend since 2000, when AAA started tracking holiday travel,” said Paula Twidale, Senior Vice President of AAA Travel. “More Americans are planning trips and booking them earlier, despite inflation. This summer travel season could be one for the record books, especially at airports.”  

Some might say we are doing better because gas prices are a little cheaper than last year, but in reality, when has $3.64 for a gallon of gas ever been a reasonable price? Especially when less than five years ago, in May of 2020, it was $2.04. We have been tracking Biden’s gas prices throughout the year and we are disappointed but not surprised but the difference in prices. You can find an updated comparison weekly on the Twitter account Biden Gas Prices.

With record-breaking travel taking place, we recognize that it was made possible by fossil fuels and the hard-working men and women who help fill our gas tanks.