Memorial Day Weekend 2026: The Busiest Days to Fly and Drive

Why Memorial Day Weekend 2026 Is One of the Busiest Ever

About 45 million Americans are expected to travel 50 miles or more from home over Memorial Day weekend, according to AAA, a slight increase from last year’s already-packed holiday rush. Most will be on the roads: 39.1 million people are expected to drive, while 3.66 million are projected to fly.

AAA says demand remains strong despite higher fuel prices, with Americans still prioritizing leisure travel during holiday breaks. In other words, the unofficial start of summer is looking very official, and very crowded.

The Busiest Days to Fly This Memorial Day

The FAA expects today, Thursday, May 21, to be the busiest day of the weekend for flying. Delta is operating more than 25,600 flights between Thursday and Monday, with Thursday projected to be its most crowded day. American Airlines, meanwhile, expects Friday, May 22, to be its busiest travel day of the holiday weekend.

TSA checkpoint data from the past three years points to the Friday before Memorial Day as the most crowded pre-holiday travel day, with an average of around 2.90 million passengers screened. Shifting your departure to Saturday morning can make a real difference. Historically, it has been the least crowded pre-holiday day, averaging around 2.34 million passengers.

For the return trip, the Sunday after Memorial Day tends to bring the biggest post-holiday airport crowds, with an average of around 2.77 million passengers screened. Flying home Tuesday or Wednesday instead could save you both money and a lot of time in line.

The top U.S. destinations this weekend are Orlando, Seattle, New York City, Las Vegas, Miami, and San Francisco. For international travel, Rome, Vancouver, Paris, and London are among the most popular.

The Busiest Times to Drive

If you're driving, timing matters just as much. Roads are expected to be worst on Thursday, May 21, and Friday, May 22, between 3 and 6 p.m., according to transportation analytics company INRIX.

If you're leaving Friday, try to get out before 11 a.m., since traffic is forecast to be heaviest from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. For the drive home on Memorial Day Monday, aim to leave before 10 a.m., with the worst congestion expected between noon and 5 p.m. Sunday, May 24, is projected to be the lightest traffic day of the weekend.

One more thing worth factoring in: the national average for gas is currently above $4.50 per gallon, the highest since summer 2022 and a steep jump from $3.17 on Memorial Day last year. Budget accordingly.

Tips to Make Travel Less Painful

A few things that will actually help this weekend:

• Arrive early: Plan for two hours before domestic flights and three hours before international ones.

• Book parking ahead: Airport lots can fill quickly on holiday weekends, so reserve a spot in advance or use public transit where available.

• Turn on flight alerts: Schedule changes, gate swaps, and delays are much easier to handle when you know about them early.

• Pack carry-on only if you can: Skipping the checked bag line can cut your airport time significantly.

• Check your car before you leave: Look at your battery, tire pressure, oil, and fluids before hitting the road. AAA responded to more than 350,000 roadside assistance calls during last year's Memorial Day weekend alone.

• Bring snacks: Whether you're in the car or stuck at the terminal, it beats paying airport prices for a granola bar.

And if none of this sounds appealing, a well-timed staycation exploring your own city is a genuinely underrated option. Memorial Day weekend travel has a way of testing everyone’s patience, airport staff included. A little flexibility with your schedule goes a long way, and so does simply being decent to the people around you.

The best Memorial Day travel strategy this year is simple: leave earlier than you think you need to, avoid the obvious peak windows, and build in more patience than usual. Whether you’re heading to the airport, loading up the car, or deciding that your couch suddenly looks like a very reasonable destination, the holiday weekend will be crowded.

The upside? A little planning still goes a long way. Shift your timing, check your alerts, pack snacks, and remember that everyone else is just trying to get somewhere too. Summer may be starting with a crowd, but it does not have to start with chaos.

Frequently Asked Questions: Memorial Day Weekend Travel 2026

When is the busiest day to fly for Memorial Day 2026?

Thursday, May 21, is expected to be the busiest day to fly, according to the FAA. Friday, May 22, is a close second.

When is the best day to fly to avoid Memorial Day crowds?

Saturday, May 24, is historically the least crowded departure day around Memorial Day. For returns, Tuesday or Wednesday after the holiday weekend will likely be quieter and often cheaper.

When is the worst time to drive on Memorial Day weekend?

Thursday and Friday afternoon between 3 and 6 p.m. are projected to be the most congested windows. On Memorial Day Monday, avoid driving between noon and 5 p.m. if possible.

How many people are expected to travel Memorial Day weekend 2026?

About 45 million Americans are expected to travel 50 miles or more from home, a new record and a slight increase from 2025.

What are the most popular Memorial Day weekend destinations?

Domestically, the top destinations include Orlando, Seattle, New York City, Las Vegas, Miami, and San Francisco. Internationally, Rome, Vancouver, Paris, and London are among the most popular.

What’s the gas price situation this Memorial Day?

The national average is above $4.50 per gallon, the highest since summer 2022 and a significant jump from $3.17 last Memorial Day.

How early should I get to the airport for Memorial Day weekend?

Plan to arrive two hours before domestic flights and three hours before international flights.

Is it worth driving instead of flying this Memorial Day?

It depends on your destination, schedule, and group size. Driving helps you avoid airport lines, but this year it also means dealing with heavy road congestion and historically high gas prices.