FORT MYERS, Fla. (WINK) — One of the busiest travel weekends of the year is underway, with a record number of Americans expected to hit the roads and crowd airports for Memorial Day getaways.
AAA projects 45 million people will travel at least 50 miles from home between Thursday and Monday, slightly higher than last year and the most ever recorded for the holiday weekend.
Most travelers will drive. AAA estimates 39.1 million people will travel by car, while another 3.66 million are expected to fly.
For Southwest Florida travelers, the busy weekend could mean crowded highways, packed airports and higher travel costs.
Gas prices are significantly higher than they were a year ago. The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline is now around $4.56, roughly $1.38 higher than Memorial Day weekend last year and the highest holiday average since 2022.
Transportation data company INRIX expects the worst congestion Thursday and Friday between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m., along with Monday afternoon as travelers head home. Sunday is expected to be the lightest travel day on the roads.
Air travelers could also run into delays, especially at some of Florida’s busiest airports.
Research published by CouponFollow, which analyzed federal flight performance data and surveyed travelers, found Americans lost an estimated $269 million on canceled Memorial Day weekend flights over the past five years.
The report identified Miami International Airport, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and Orlando International Airport among Florida airports with some of the most delays during the holiday weekend travel period.
The study also found evening flights tend to face the highest risk for delays and cancellations, particularly after 7 p.m., when airports become more congested with holiday travelers. Early morning flights on Saturday and Sunday were among the least disrupted.
Despite crowded airports, AAA said airfare has slightly improved compared to last year. According to AAA booking data, domestic roundtrip flights for Memorial Day weekend are about 6% cheaper than in 2025, averaging around $800.
Before heading out, AAA recommends drivers check their battery, tires and fluid levels. During last year’s Memorial Day weekend, AAA responded to more than 350,000 roadside assistance calls nationwide involving dead batteries, flat tires and empty gas tanks.