More than 37 million Americans are expected to drive, fly or catch a train during the five-day Memorial Day holiday weekend, according to AAA .
The 2021 holiday weekend travel projection represents a 60% increase in the number of people expected to travel 50 miles or more from home, compared with the 23 million who did so in 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic gripped the United States.
“As more people get the COVID-19 vaccine and consumer confidence grows, Americans are demonstrating a strong desire to travel this Memorial Day,” Paula Twidale, AAA’s senior vice president, said in a prepared statement.
The 2020 Memorial Day weekend travel figures are the lowest on record since AAA began tracking them in 2000, and the 2021 projection remains 13%, or nearly 6 million travelers, below pre-pandemic levels, according to the nonprofit federation of motor clubs throughout North America.
Twidale cautioned, however, that an outbreak of new COVID-19 variants or other factors could still negatively impact the travel industry’s post-pandemic recovery.
“This pent-up demand will result in a significant increase in Memorial Day travel, which is a strong indicator for summer, though we must all remember to continue taking important safety precautions,” she stated.
Meanwhile, gas prices are expected to hit a seven-year high between May 27 and May 31, reflecting both high demand and the impact of a temporary shutdown to the Colonial Pipeline following a recent cyberattack, CNBC reported.
>> Related: 2021 Memorial Day travel: Gas prices expected to hit 7-year high, AAA says
Despite the added expense, the lion’s share of the Memorial Day weekend vacationers, or roughly 34 million, are expected to travel by car, representing a 52% increase compared with 2020 but a 9% decrease compared with 2019, the network reported.
“We don’t expect higher gas prices to deter motorists this holiday season as many Americans are eager to travel,” AAA spokesperson Jeanette C. McGee, said in a prepared statement. “We typically find when pump prices increase, travelers look for more free activities or eat out less while on vacation, but still take their planned trips.”
Meanwhile, 2.5 million Americans are expected to fly to their Memorial Day weekend destinations, or roughly 557% more than one year ago, while only 237,000 vacationers are expected to hop a bus or train, AAA reported.