Full Breakdown
Record Memorial Day Travel Persists Despite Soaring Gas Prices
5/12/2026, 4:12:53 AM
Core Event: AAA Projects Record Travel for the Holiday Weekend
The American Automobile Association (AAA) forecasts that 45 million Americans will travel between Thursday, May 21, and Monday, May 25, the highest total on record. Of those, 39.1 million are expected to drive and 3.66 million to fly. State-level projections include 834,348 Wisconsinites (a 0.1 % decline from 2025), 973,000 Arizonans (up 0.6 % from the prior year), and 968,000 Hoosiers. In Wisconsin, 744,000 will drive, 44,000 will fly, and 46,000 will use buses, trains or cruises. Arizona’s travel mix features 850,000 drivers and 84,000 flyers. Indiana’s forecast shows 878,000 drivers and a national total of 3.66 million air passengers.
Background & Context: Gas Prices Reach Multi-Year Peaks
Gasoline costs have risen sharply. In Wisconsin the average price on Memorial Day was $4.38 per gallon, compared with $2.92 a year earlier. AAA’s national average for the same day is reported as $3.17 per gallon. A separate AAA survey of Florida and national prices lists a $4.52 per gallon national average, indicating a discrepancy between sources. West Virginia’s price sits at $4.39, Pennsylvania at $4.91, and Florida’s weekly average fell to $4.43 after peaking at $4.50. Tennessee gas prices have hit a four-year high, making a full tank roughly $20 more expensive than in early 2026. The surge is linked to higher crude prices after geopolitical tension in the Strait of Hormuz.
Data & Statistics: Travel Numbers and Fuel Costs
- Wisconsin: 834,348 travelers (-0.1 % YoY); 744,000 drivers; 44,000 flyers; 46,000 other-mode users.
- Arizona: 973,000 travelers (+2.4 % YoY); 850,000 drivers; 84,000 flyers.
- Indiana: 968,000 travelers; 878,000 drivers.
- National driving: 39.1 million; national flying: 3.66 million.
- Roadside assistance: AAA expects ?350,000 calls nationwide over the holiday.
- Other modes: Buses, trains and cruises are up about 5 %.
Why It Matters: Travel-Behavior Adjustments and Congestion Risks
Higher pump prices are prompting “cost-conscious adjustments,” such as shorter trips, closer destinations, and increased use of non-driving modes. Traffic-flow models from INRIX warn of heavy congestion Thursday and Friday between 3 p.m.–6 p.m., with Monday afternoon also busy; Sunday is projected to be the lightest travel day. The shift toward alternative transport contributes to the modest rise in bus, train and cruise usage.
Official Statements & Responses
AAA’s public-affairs director Nick Jarmusz noted that “Memorial Day travel demand remains strong, but higher fuel prices are slowing the pace of growth in some segments.” Vice President of AAA Travel Stacey Barber emphasized that “many people are prioritizing leisure travel during holiday breaks.” Spokesman Mark Jenkins described the fuel market as “headline-driven and extremely volatile,” urging drivers to check tires, avoid aggressive acceleration, and consider cash payments to reduce pump costs. AAA also advises motorists to move over for roadside responders and to designate a sober driver.
Criticism & Opposition: Voices from the Pump
Truck driver Kirk Diehl (Weirton, WV) said, “It’s horrible. I feel sorry for the older people and the single mothers. It’s crazy.” West Virginia resident Carrie Rock reported cutting back on cable and food to stretch her budget. Traveler Jarod Shelby, commuting from Arkansas to Pennsylvania, observed, “They’re pretty steep now… from Arkansas to here, really, and everywhere in between.” In Tennessee, Mark Jenkins acknowledged that families are “taking a road trip that’s a little bit closer” to stay within budget.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Memorial Day travel demand remains strong, but higher fuel prices are slowing the pace of growth in some segments,” — Nick Jarmusz, Director of Public Affairs, AAA
- “Travel demand remains strong, and many people are prioritizing leisure travel during holiday breaks.” — Stacey Barber, Vice President of AAA Travel
- “The fuel market remains headline-driven and extremely volatile, making it difficult to predict what drivers will pay at the pump this summer,” — Mark Jenkins, Spokesman, AAA
- “It's horrible. I feel sorry for the older people and the single mothers. It's crazy,” — Kirk Diehl, Truck Driver, Weirton, WV
- “It seems like they're up all the way from Arkansas to here, really, and everywhere in between,” — Jarod Shelby, Traveler
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the national average gasoline price: $3.17 per gallon (Memorial Day snapshot) versus $4.52 per gallon (AAA’s weekly Florida survey). Tennessee’s exact per-gallon price is not provided, only a relative increase of about $20 per tank. No data are available on actual travel cancellations despite higher costs.
What’s Next: Anticipated Congestion and Planning Tips
Travelers should expect the heaviest traffic Thursday, Friday, and Monday afternoon, with Sunday offering the most relief. AAA recommends using its mobile app to locate lower-priced stations, checking vehicle condition before departure, and planning routes to avoid peak-hour bottlenecks. The organization stands ready for an estimated 350,000 roadside assistance calls throughout the holiday.
