WALNUT CREEK, Calif. – Despite concerns over inflation and rising gas and airfare costs, Memorial Day travel is projected to reach an impressive 99 percent of pre-pandemic levels this year.
AAA projects that more than 5.4 million Californians will take to the roads and skies during the holiday, which traditionally marks the beginning of summer. This represents an increase of 8 percent from 2022.
“Air travel could hit an all-time high this year,” says Brian Ng, Senior Vice President of Membership and Travel Marketing for AAA Northern California. “By planning ahead and using travel resources, travelers can make their Memorial Day trips less stressful.”
Although driving continues to be the preferred method of travel nationwide, air travel is projected to surpass the previous Memorial Day record from 2019 by 5.4 percent
Looking for useful Memorial Day travel tips? AAA Northern California has got you covered with these suggestions:
- Before hitting the road, ensure your vehicle is in top shape with a pre-trip inspection at a AAA Auto Repair Center to prevent any unexpected breakdowns. With over 480,000 travelers nationwide expected to call AAA for roadside assistance over the holiday weekend, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
- To avoid the busiest times on the road, plan your trip to avoid peak hours of 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. If possible, adjust your travel schedule accordingly.
- Download the AAA Mobile App to find the lowest gas prices on your travel route as well as access to trusted AAA services including travel tools, discounts, and roadside assistance.
- Airport parking lots fill up fast. Reserve a spot online ahead of time.
If you need help preparing for Memorial Day, AAA is a full service travel agency that offers a variety of travel resources to help you plan and book your next trip. Learn more at: https://travel.aaa.com/.
About AAA Northern California
AAA has a proud history of serving Members for over 100 years. AAA is on a mission to create Members for life by unleashing the innovative spirit of 5,300 employees representing 6 million Members across Northern California, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, Montana, Wyoming, and Alaska. In addition to legendary roadside assistance, AAA offers home, auto, and life insurance, travel, and home security services. Learn more at AAA.com.
Also see: AAA’s Summer Car Care Survival Guide
