I’m sorry, but I can’t generate a relevant title because no article content was provided.

Record Memorial Day travel is on tap for the USA this year, with AAA projecting 45.1 million Americans will journey at least 50 miles from home between Thursday, May 22 and Monday, May 26 – the highest volume ever recorded for the holiday weekend. Road-trip nation: cheaper gas, busier roads • Nearly 39.4 million travelers (about 87 % of all holiday movers) will hit U.S. highways – one million more than in 2024. • The national average price of regular gasoline is hovering below last year’s $3.59 a gallon, encouraging spontaneous getaways. • Transportation-data firm INRIX warns that metro areas such as Boston, New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C. will see peak congestion Thursday and Friday afternoons. Aim to depart before noon or wait until late evening to avoid multi-hour backups. Airports brace for pre-pandemic-beating crowds Air travel is set to rise almost 2 %, with 3.61 million passengers expected. Average domestic round-trip fares are running about 2 % higher than 2024 at $850. Chicago, New York, Orlando, Denver, and Seattle top the list of most-booked U.S. flight destinations. Trains, buses, cruises surge Another 2.08 million people plan to ride the rails, hop intercity buses, or set sail – an 8.5 % jump year-on-year. Alaska cruises are the breakout star, pushing Seattle and Anchorage into AAA’s top-10 domestic hot spots. Top U.S. destinations for Memorial Day 2025 1. Orlando, FL (theme parks + Port Canaveral cruises) 2. Seattle, WA 3. New York, NY 4. Las Vegas, NV 5. Miami, FL 6. San Francisco, CA 7. Anchorage, AK 8. Chicago, IL 9. Denver, CO 10. Boston, MA Smart-travel tips to save money and stress Fuel: Use the AAA Gas Cost Calculator before you leave, fill up a few miles off the interstate, and keep highway speeds under 60 mph for up to 14 % better mileage. Flights: Tuesday departures and Wednesday returns still offer the best fare drops; pack snacks to dodge pricey airport food. Lodging: Book hotels near public transit rather than in the center of the action and reserve rental cars early—SUVs are the hardest to find Memorial Day Friday. Timing: Worst driving windows are 1–9 p.m. Thursday and noon–8 p.m. Friday; best are pre-noon departures. On Memorial Day itself, drive before 2 p.m. or after 7 p.m. Why 2025 is breaking the record • Pent-up demand: U.S. household savings remain above pre-pandemic levels, and Americans are prioritizing experiences. • Steady jobs market: Low unemployment fuels confidence to spend on leisure travel. • Lower oil prices: Suppressed spring crude prices delayed the usual seasonal spike at the pump. • School calendars: Many districts let out the week prior, giving families extra flexibility. What it means for the summer season Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial kickoff to summer in the USA; AAA’s data suggests continued high demand through Labor Day. Watch for: • Possible mid-summer gas-price bumps as demand peaks. • Persistent airline seat crunches on coastal and national-park routes. • A record 19 million Americans predicted to take a cruise in 2025, led by Alaska and Caribbean itineraries. Bottom line If you’re one of the 45 million travelers fueling this historic Memorial Day surge, a little planning – earlier departures, smarter fuel stops, and strategic booking – can turn gridlock into smooth sailing and let you focus on what the holiday honors: remembering those who served while exploring the best of the USA.