Local & Community
Record 45 Million Americans to Travel for Memorial Day Weekend Despite Highest Gas Prices in Four Years
The Memorial Day holiday weekend is officially underway, ushering in the unofficial start of the summer driving season with record-breaking travel volumes across the country. According to the latest holiday travel forecast from AAA, an estimated 45 million Americans are projected to journey 50 miles or more from home over the long weekend. This massive turnout marks a slight year-over-year increase from last year, setting a new all-time travel record for the holiday weekend as steady economic growth and strong consumer spending encourage families to prioritize leisure travel.
The vast majority of holiday travelers are choosing to reach their destinations by vehicle, with AAA expecting approximately 39 million people to take to the nation's highways. This highway exodus accounts for roughly 87 percent of all long-distance holiday trips this year. However, these millions of motorists are hitting the road facing the steepest fuel prices seen during a Memorial Day weekend in nearly four years. The surge in pump prices has forced many families to adjust their seasonal budgets or select destinations closer to home to accommodate the heightened cost of transportation.
According to tracking data and forecasts from fuel-analysis platform GasBuddy, the national average for a gallon of regular gasoline is expected to sit at $4.48 on Memorial Day. This projected price represents a staggering 42 percent increase compared to last year's holiday average of $3.14 per gallon, making it the second-highest Memorial Day gas price on record. The only time American drivers paid more for fuel during this specific holiday weekend was in 2022, when global energy disruptions pushed the national average to $4.61 a gallon.
Energy analysts note that the current sticker shock at the pump is directly tied to an international oil shock and the prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which has severely disrupted global crude supplies. Fuel prices have steadily climbed throughout the spring, with every state in the country now averaging well over $4.00 per gallon, and multiple west coast markets posting averages near or above $6.00 a gallon. GasBuddy experts warn that if the global supply disruptions drag on into the summer, national averages could continue to climb toward an unprecedented seasonal peak of $4.80 a gallon.
Despite the financial headwind of rising fuel costs, major transit hubs and highways are already experiencing intense congestion. Transportation analytics firm INRIX reported that the heaviest traffic delays are peaking on Thursday and Friday afternoons as holiday commuters mix with weekend travelers leaving work early. With a record number of vehicles on the road, emergency roadside responders are advising motorists to remain patient, check their vehicle's battery and tire pressure before departure, and expect extended travel times along major metropolitan corridors.
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By: NBC Palm Springs
May 22, 2026
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