AAA offers advice for Memorial Day travelers

AAA predicts a record-breaking 948,000 Tennesseans will travel at least 50 miles from home over the Memorial Day period*. That’s an increase of over 23,000 travelers compared to last year.

Nationwide, AAA expects more than 45.1 million to travel for Memorial Day weekend. That’s 1.4 million more domestic travelers than last year. It’s also a new Memorial Day weekend record, surpassing the previous record set back in 2005 with 44 million people.

"Despite economic uncertainty and global challenges, travel remains a priority for Americans, with millions eager to make memories with a Memorial Day getaway,” said Debbie Haas, Vice President of Travel for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Whether travelers are looking for a quick getaway or an extended vacation, there are budget-friendly options for every plan. From a short beach retreat to an extended cruise, working with a travel advisor can help uncover exclusive discounts and create a vacation that best meets your interests and needs."

In the state of Tennessee, the estimated number of travelers during the holiday weekend is 948,388, an increase over last year's total of 924,980. The projected number of those travelers who will go by motor vehicle is a proportionate increase from 783,595 to 800,250.

Fortunately, a trip to the gas pump should be lower than last year. On Memorial Day 2024, the national average for a gallon of regular was $3.59 per gallon. In Tennessee, it was $3.17 per gallon. So far this spring, gas prices have avoided the usual seasonal spikes, largely due to lower crude oil costs.

“As summer unofficially begins and travel demand picks up, there’s a chance that pump prices will edge upward,” said Megan Cooper, spokesperson for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Historically, gas prices tend to peak in the spring or summer before gradually easing as schools reopen in the fall.”

Rental Cars: For drivers who are renting cars over Memorial Day weekend, AAA car rental partner Hertz says Friday, May 23 is expected to be the busiest day for pickup. SUVs are some of the most popular rental vehicles for the long holiday weekend. Hertz says the cities seeing the highest demand for rental cars include Orlando, Denver, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Miami, and Seattle – all cities in AAA’s Top Destinations list.

Reserving a rental car early guarantees you’ll get what you want. To save money, consider the type of vehicle you want versus what you actually need! If you’re traveling with a small group and don’t need a ton of room, smaller vehicles tend to be more economical and fuel-efficient. For extra savings, AAA members get exclusive benefits when booking through Hertz.

Gas: Even with gas prices lower than last Memorial Day weekend, drivers can find ways to save at the pump.

Start by peeking at current prices on the AAA fuel site and use the AAA gas cost calculator to get an idea of how much your road trip will cost.

Once you hit the road, keep in mind the gas stations right off the interstate are usually the most expensive. If you're looking to save money, drive a little bit farther down the road for cheaper gas. AAA members receive stackable discounts on gas through the Fuel Rewards® program at participating Shell stations.

After you fill up, avoid speeding. Fuel economy peaks around 50 mph on most cars, then drops off as speeds increase. Reducing highway speeds by 5 to 10 mph can increase fuel economy by as much as 14%.

Best/Worst Times to Drive

INRIX, a provider of transportation data and insights, expects the afternoons over Memorial Day weekend to be the most congested.

They believe that the best travel time on every day between May 22 and 26 is early in the day; before noon on Thursday, May 22 and Saturday, May 24; before 11 a.m. on Friday, May 23; before 1 p.m. on Sunday, May 25; and before 2 p.m. on Memorial Day itself.

The worst times to travel will be from 1-9 p.m. Thursday, noon to 8 p.m. Friday, 2-6 p.m. Saturday, 1-5 p.m. Sunday, and 4-7 p.m. on Memorial Day.