According to the latest report from the American Automobile Association (AAA), around 39.4 million Americans are expected to choose self-driving trips around Memorial Day (May 26), which is a 3.1% increase compared to last year, marking a new high in 20 years.
Self-driving is usually the most popular way of travel during holidays, with 87% of travelers choosing to self-drive on Memorial Day. Gas prices this year are also expected to be lower than last year. AAA data shows that gasoline prices are expected to be 50 cents cheaper per gallon.
AAA also predicts that this weekend will see 3.61 million people choosing to travel by plane, an increase of nearly 2% from 3.55 million in 2024. However, data shows that domestic flight ticket prices have increased by 2% from last year, with an average round-trip ticket price of $850.
In addition to the rise in airfare, recent incidents caused by air traffic control problems have also made passengers feel uneasy about air travel. Equipment malfunctions at Newark Liberty International Airport have resulted in multiple flight delays or cancellations.
According to AAA, the most popular travel destinations for Memorial Day this year include Orlando, Denver, and Seattle.
Memorial Day, originally established to honor the soldiers who died in the American Civil War (1861-1865), which had the highest number of casualties in U.S. history. Today, the holiday is to commemorate all American military personnel who have sacrificed their lives in any conflict.
While Memorial Day is seen as a great opportunity to enjoy a long weekend, on this day, flags are usually flown at half-mast as a sign of mourning, and a moment of silence is observed at 3:00pm, as designated by the National Moment of Remembrance Act passed in the year 2000.
(This article is based on a report from the “Congress Hill News.”)