AAA: 1.3 million Georgians will Take to the Roads and Sky for the Unofficial Start of Summer

AAA forecasts a significant number of Georgians are planning to travel for the Memorial Day holiday weekend.

According to AAA, 1.3 million Georgians will journey 50 miles or more, which is 52,824 more holiday travelers than last year.

Nationally, AAA projects the second highest-traveled Memorial Day on record.

Nearly 43.8 million Americans will journey 50 miles or more during the holiday travel period*.

That’s 1.7 million more travelers than last year (4% increase), yet slightly behind 2005’s record of 44 million.

“Memorial Day will be the start to a very busy summer of travel,” said Debbie Haas, Vice President of Travel for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “American travelers are forecast to surpass pre-pandemic levels, making this the busiest Memorial Day holiday weekend in nearly two decades. The main driver of the projection is strong consumer interest in traveling both domestically and abroad. Interest in traveling internationally is at the highest level in recent years.”

Road trips are expected to set a record in Georgia and nationwide, with nearly 1.5 million more Americans on the road than last year.

AAA projects nearly 38.4 million will travel by car over Memorial Day weekend, the highest number for that holiday since AAA began tracking in 2001.

“Traveling by car is appealing for many Georgians because of the convenience and flexibility it provides,” said Montrae Waiters, spokeswoman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “However, Memorial Day drivers may have to pay more at the gas pump this year.”

The national number of drivers this year is up 4% compared to last year and 1.9% higher than in 2019.

However, Memorial Day drivers may have to pay more at the gas pump this year.

During last year’s holiday weekend, Georgia’s gas price average was $3.25 per gallon. Today, the state average is $3.40.

“Drivers should expect continued volatility at the pump as the summer driving season gets underway,” Waiters continued. The wildcard remains the cost of oil, and unlike last year, there are now two wars – in the Middle East and Ukraine – that could roil the oil market.”

Visit Georgia gas price average to view daily state and metro average prices.

Drivers can use the free AAA mobile app to find the lowest gas prices in their area and get discounted pricing at the pump by participating in the Fuel Rewards Program.

And if you plan to fly somewhere over the Memorial Day weekend, airports are bracing for a spike in travelers.

AAA expects 3.51 million Americans to travel by air Memorial Day weekend and is expected to be the most crowded Memorial Day weekend at airports since 2005 when 3.64 million flew for the holiday as the travel industry finally rebounded post-9/11.

Airports are bracing for a spike in travelers. AAA expects 3.51 million Americans to travel by air this holiday weekend, an increase of 4.8% over last year and a 9% jump compared to 2019. This will be the most crowded Memorial Day weekend at airports since 2005 when 3.64 million flew for the holiday as the travel industry finally rebounded post-9/11. This Memorial Day weekend, air ticket prices are comparable to last year.