Memorial Day is reliably one of the busiest travel weekends in the U.S. — and experts predict this year will set a new bar.
AAA projects the majority of people — some 39.4 million — will travel by car, an increase of 1 million from last year.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) anticipates screening about 18 million passengers and crew between Thursday and Wednesday.
“As a friendly reminder, to ensure a smooth screening experience, bring acceptable forms of ID like your REAL ID.”
Passengers who don’t have a REAL ID should bring another accepted form of ID, such as passports, passport cards, Global Entry, NEXUS and green cards.
Among the most popular travel weekends in the United States is always Memorial Day. S. . According to experts, this year will raise the standard.
According to AAA, 45 million people will travel at least 50 miles from their homes between Thursday and Monday, shattering a 2005 domestic travel record. While some will take the train, bus, or cruise, the majority are anticipated to drive or fly.
As stated in a statement by AAA Travel’s vice president, Stacey Barber, “many families simply pack up the car and drive to the beach or take a road trip to visit friends, while some travelers embark on dream vacations and fly hundreds of miles across the country.”.
About 33.4 million people, up 1 million from the previous year, are expected to travel by car, according to AAA’s projections. Despite the fact that traffic will be heavy, there is at least one bright spot: the average national gas price is at its lowest level since 2021 during Memorial Day weekend.
Air travel is expected to reach 3.61 million, up 2% from the previous year, according to AAA. About 18 million passengers and crew members are expected to be screened by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) between Thursday and Wednesday.
During this busy time, TSA acting Administrator Ha McNeill stated, “TSA is prepared for the increased passenger volume, and we look forward to welcoming families traveling.”. We would like to remind you to bring legitimate identification, such as your REAL ID, to ensure a seamless screening process. “.
Airport security no longer accepts state IDs or regular driver’s licenses due to the REAL ID requirement, which went into effect on May 7. A valid form of identification, such as a passport, passport card, Global Entry, NEXUS, or green card, should be brought by passengers who do not have a REAL ID.
Since May 7, 93% of travelers have been presenting a REAL ID or an acceptable substitute, according to TSA.
As travelers already worry about their flights following some high-profile near-collisions and air traffic control outages, crowded airport lines and packed planes may make matters worse. This is especially true at Newark Airport, where disruptions are still occurring.
Here and Now transportation analyst Seth Kaplan says that although airlines are booking a lot of flights and seats for this weekend, it’s unclear how many of them will be filled.
“We’ll only know after the fact … because some of those plans were made back before things changed: safety concerns, economic concerns, those kinds of things,” Kaplan stated. “It’s going to be very busy.”.
Advice for flyers.
The TSA advises travelers to arrange their carry-on bags and follow rules, especially those pertaining to liquids and prohibited items, for a more seamless journey.
Some of those regulations have changed, so it’s crucial to review them again. Due to fire safety concerns, the Federal Aviation Administration released an advisory earlier this month that included additional limitations on lithium batteries.
Power banks and cell phone charging cases, among other spare lithium batteries, are to be kept in carry-on luggage only, according to the rule. If the bags are checked at the gate, the traveler is required to bring them on board. Southwest Airlines declared that, as of next Wednesday, its passengers will be required to keep those items visible while flying.
TSA also advises creating a TSA PreCheck account, phoning in advance to request assistance, and getting to the airport early—at least two hours before the scheduled boarding time for a domestic flight and three hours before an international flight.
Driver advice.
If you have any flexibility and are driving, think about using data to schedule your trip.
Hertz, for instance, states that Friday is anticipated to be the busiest day for picking up rental cars.
The transportation analytics firm INRIX predicts that during Memorial Day Weekend, afternoon traffic will be heavier than morning traffic. As stated, the ideal time to travel is before 11 a.m. A. at noon on Friday and at 1 pm on Saturday. A. On Sunday, at 2:00 p.m. A. Monday. .
There are a few things you can do to get ready for a road trip, regardless of the time you’re driving.
AAA suggests planning your preferred route ahead of time, including any stops for rest or meals, packing your car and filling up the gas tank the day before, and getting a good night’s sleep and eating a substantial meal before you leave.
Additionally, it advises assembling an emergency kit that includes necessities such as nonperishable snacks, crucial documents, blankets, water, chargers, jumper cables, a first aid kit, flashlights, and a tire repair kit.
When deciding how much you can drive in a day, AAA suggests setting a reasonable limit of five hours. Taking stretch breaks along the way and changing drivers frequently—at least every three hours—are also advised.
