AAA expects big rebound in Memorial Day road trips in 2021

After a big dip in 2020, AAA Travel is predicting a 60% increase in travelers for the 2021 Memorial Day holiday weekend.

The federal holiday normally marks the start of summer vacation and road-trip season. After a year that was anything but normal, AAA expects this Memorial Day will see more than 37 million Americans journey 50 miles or more May 27-31, thanks to rising numbers of vaccinated people and pent-up demand. AAA travels with you, so we're looking at how those millions of people are expected to travel, where and when vacation traffic may be heaviest, and what you can do to help your trip go smoothly.

AAA's forecast by the numbers

Road traffic forecast for major cities, according to INRIX

Based on historical and recent travel trends for Memorial Day weekend, transportation analytics company INRIX predicts drivers will experience the greatest congestion in the afternoons on Thursday, May 27 and Friday, May 28, as commuters leave work early and mix with vacation travelers. 

What it means for you

Road tripping in the family car is a Memorial Day classic. AAA predicts 34.4 million auto travelers will account for almost 93% of long-distance Memorial Day trips.

With so many cars on the road, it’s no surprise Memorial Day weekend is a busy time for AAA Roadside Assistance. AAA expects to assist more than 468,000 motorists this Memorial Day. Want to avoid becoming one of them? Here’s what you can do:

Prevent wear & tear by renting from Hertz

Instead of putting extra miles on your vehicle, rent from Hertz. AAA members get all sorts of benefits when booking with Hertz, including discounts of up to 20% off base rates.

Members also get the peace of mind that comes with Hertz's Gold Standard Clean, a 15-point sanitizing process for all rental vehicles. 

See details and current promotions