Holiday roads to be busiest in decade, AAA says
AAA Travel projects 37.2 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home during the Memorial Day holiday weekend, a 4.7 percent increase from the 35.5 million people who traveled last year and the highest travel volume for the holiday in 10 years.
In the Pacific Region (AK, CA, HI, OR, WA), Memorial Day travel is expected to increase by 4.6 percent, with nearly 6 million taking trips. The Memorial Day holiday travel period is defined as Thursday, May 21 to Monday, May 25.
Highlights from 2015 Memorial Day Travel Forecast :
The 2015 Memorial Day forecast is expected to mark the highest travel volume for the holiday in 10 years, since 2005.
The 4.7 percent increase over Memorial Day 2014 is the highest forecast growth rate for any of the holidays tracked by AAA since Independence Day 2012.
More than 88 percent of travelers (33 million) will travel by automobile, an increase of 5.3 percent over last Memorial Day.
Most drivers will likely pay the lowest Memorial Day gas prices in at least five years. Today’s national average for regular unleaded is $2.69, compared to $3.66 on Memorial Day 2014. The current Oregon average is $3.02, compared to $3.88 last Memorial Day.
Holiday air travel is expected to increase 2.5 percent to 2.6 million leisure travelers with airfares are down slightly compared to Memorial Day 2014.
Travel by other modes of transportation including cruises, trains and buses, is expected to decrease 3.6 percent this Memorial Day, to 1.64 million.
Travelers will pay more for lodging and car rentals this year.
“AAA is expecting more Memorial Day travelers this year than any time in the past 10 years. A strong employment market and low gas prices have driven consumer optimism to new highs and boosted Americans’ disposable income,” said Marie Dodds, Public Affairs Director for AAA Oregon/Idaho.
“Confident consumers are ready to kick off the summer travel season and explore national parks, beach destinations and America’s great cities. This is welcome news for the travel industry,” said Doreen Loofburrow, Vice President of Travel for AAA Oregon/Idaho.
“For Memorial Day travel, top regional destinations include the Oregon coast, Central Oregon, Crater Lake and Seattle. Popular destinations for summer travel include the National Parks of the Western U.S. including Yellowstone, Bryce Canyon, Zion, and Canyonlands National Parks. Disneyland is a perennial favorite for families and its 60th anniversary celebration begins May 22 and will continue into 2016.”
Most will drive to their Memorial Day destinations
Memorial Day kicks off the summer driving season and car travel is expected to account for 88.6 percent of all travel nationally, with 33 million travelers driving to their destinations, an increase of 5.3 percent compared to 2014. In the Pacific region, 5 million or 83.9 percent will travel by car, an increase of 5.6 percent compared to last year.
Impact of gasoline prices
Although gas prices have been climbing, travelers continue to enjoy substantially lower gas prices compared to recent years. AAA predicts most U.S. travelers will pay the cheapest Memorial Day gas prices in at least five years.
Tips for drivers
AAA expects to rescue nearly 350,000 motorists at the roadside this Memorial Day weekend, with the primary reasons being dead batteries, flat tires and lockouts. AAA recommends drivers inspect their vehicle and check battery and tire condition before heading out on a holiday getaway.
Number of air travelers up; airfares decrease
About 2.6 million Americans (seven percent of holiday travelers) will fly to their destinations, a 2.4 percent increase from last year.
In the Pacific region, 564,000 travelers (9.4 percent of holiday travelers) are expected to fly to their Memorial Day destinations, an increase of 2.6 percent compared to last year.
The Pacific region typically sees a higher than average share of its population travel by air over the holidays compared to other regions, and this is the case for Memorial Day. This area is more spread out geographically than other parts of the U.S. so flying can be more convenient for travelers here.
Memorial Day holiday airfares are expected to be two percent cheaper this year, with an average lowest round-trip rate of $222 for the top 40 U.S. air routes.
The remaining four percent of holiday travelers, a total of 1.6 million) are expected to travel by other modes, including cruises, trains and buses. This is a 3.6 percent decrease from last year.
Hotel and car rental rates increase
According to AAA’s Leisure Travel Index, the average nightly stay in a Two Diamond hotel is 16 percent higher this year at $144, while Three Diamond hotels will cost seven percent more, averaging $182.
The average daily car rental rate this Memorial Day is $63, compared to $44 last year, a 45 percent increase.
AAA Holiday Projections
AAA’s projections are based on economic forecasting and research by IHS Global Insight, based in Colorado. AAA has been reporting on holiday travel trends for more than two decades. The complete AAA/IHS Global Insight 2015 Memorial Day Travel Forecast can be found here.
