It’s no secret New York City is one of the worst cities to drive, but tack on a holiday weekend to that already existing statistic and sheeeesh do you have yourself a headache. And if you have plans to escape NYC this Memorial Day Weekend you’re not alone–in fact, you’re one of 45 million people with the same idea.
Memorial Day weekend is this weekend, Saturday, May 24th to Monday, May 26th, and according to AAA, more than 45 million people are set to travel at least 50 miles between Thursday, May 22nd, and Monday, May 26th–that’s 1.4 million more travelers compared to last year. In fact, this year will break the previous record set 20 years ago back in 2005 with 44 million weekend travelers.
To break it down, AAA predicts 39.4 million people will travel by car this weekend, an additional one million travelers compared to last year, 87% of which are looking to take advantage of the three-day weekend (and lower gas prices compared to last year) via a road trip. AAA car rental partner Hertz says Friday, May 23rd is expected to be the busiest day for pickup, with SUVs being the most popular. So, if you’re planning to rent a car you may want to avoid a Friday pickup.
As for flying, 3.61 million people are expected to travel by plane, a nearly 2% jump from last year when 3.55 million travelers took to the skies. This year’s numbers are projected to surpass pre-pandemic levels by 12%, though they won’t break any records–that was also set back in 2005 with 3.64 million air travelers. And though gas is cheaper this year compared to last, flights are 2% more expensive, with the average roundtrip ticket costing $850.
As for the additional 2.08 million people, they’ll be traveling via train, bus, or cruise, an 8.5% increase over last year. Earlier this year, AAA projected that a record 19 million Americans planned to take cruises in 2025, with a strong demand for Alaska, particularly Fairbanks, Anchorage, and Juneau.
Best & Worst Times For Memorial Day Weekend Travel
Transportation data provider INRIX expects the afternoons over Memorial Day weekend to be the most congested, thus the best time to travel Memorial Day weekend would be during the morning hours. Altogether, the busiest travel day of Memorial Day weekend is typically the Friday before Memorial Day, so this Friday, May 23rd. New York, Boston, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Washington, DC are the metros that can expect the heaviest traffic.
Best and Worst Times to Travel by Car
- Thursday, May 22: 1 – 9 pm (best time: before 12 pm)
- Friday, May 23: 12 – 8 pm (best time: before 11 am)
- Saturday, May 24: 2 – 6 pm (best time: before 12 pm)
- Sunday, May 25: 1 – 5 pm (best time: before 1 pm)
- Monday, May 26: 4 – 7 pm (best time: before 2 pm)
AAA Tips On How To Save When Traveling
If you’re one of the 45 million people set to travel this weekend, here are some tips on how to save money:
Traveling via car
- Keep in mind the gas stations right off the interstate are usually the most expensive–drive a little bit farther down the road for cheaper gas
- Avoid speeding–fuel economy peaks around 50mph on most cars, then drops off as speeds increase. Reducing highway speeds by 5-10mph can increase fuel economy by as much as 14%
Traveling via plane
- Flexibility is key to scoring cheaper airfare
- Flights that depart on Tuesdays or return on Wednesdays will save you money–weekends flights tend to be more expensive
- Basic economy is a great option for budget-conscious travelers who aren’t picky about selecting a seat ahead of time
- Reserving airport parking ahead of time can save you money
Always be sure to check our guide to finding cheap flights if you’re interested in saving money on travel!
Hotels and Rental Cars
- Hotels in prime locations and tourist areas tend to be more expensive–look for hotels within walking distance to public transit to save money on transportation
- Reserving a rental car early guarantees you’ll get what you want–smaller vehicles tend to be more economical and fuel-efficient
See the full AAA travel forecast.
Memorial Day Weekend Getaways
If you don’t have Memorial Day weekend plans yet but are looking for ways to make the most of the three-day weekend, you can find a ton of fabulous places to go for Memorial Day weekend near NYC here. Some of our favorites include:
- This Stunning Catskills Swimming Hole Just 2.5 Hours From NYC With Crystal Clear Waters & Cool Mountain Vibes
- The Most Remote U.S. National Park, Which Is 19x Bigger Than Manhattan & Gets Less Than 1% Of Yosemite’s Yearly Visitors
- This 6-Story Treehouse Nestled Above A Waterfall That’s Straight Out Of A Fairytale, Only A Few Hours From NYC
- This Charming Hudson Valley Michelin Key Resort That Offers 140 Acres Of Picturesque Luxury & Self-Care