Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

87% Drive Record 45 M Memorial Day Travelers

5/24/2026

41 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

87 percent of travelers are expected to drive, confronting the nation’s highest gasoline price since summer 2022.
AAA projects a record 45 million Americans will travel this Memorial Day weekend.
Airfare rose more than 20 percent year over year, prompting many travelers to use miles or shorten trips.
Asian American Hotel Owners Association reports some guests are skipping overnight stays to stay with family.

History

Historical Context

The 1973 Arab oil embargo, launched by OAPEC in October, forced Nixon’s administration to impose three-gallon weekly caps and odd-even rationing, leaving 20 % of stations empty by February 1974. That shock reshaped U.S. travel habits, and today AAA expects about 45 million drivers to hit the roads on Memorial Day, confronting the highest gasoline price since summer 2022.

1 of 2

Story summary

87 percent of travelers are expected to drive, confronting the nation’s highest gasoline price since summer 2022.
AAA projects a record 45 million Americans will travel this Memorial Day weekend.
Airfare rose more than 20 percent year over year, prompting many travelers to use miles or shorten trips.
Asian American Hotel Owners Association reports some guests are skipping overnight stays to stay with family.

1 / 2