AAA: More than 1 million Michiganders expected to travel during Memorial Day weekend
AAA predicts 60% more travelers than last year, still 14% below pre-pandemic levels
Marcos Chappell, Executive Producer
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AAA expects a significant rebound in the number of Americans planning to travel this Memorial Day holiday weekend.
More than 37 million people are expected to travel 50 miles or more between May 27 and May 31. That’s a 60 percent increase from last year, when only 23 million traveled, the lowest on record since AAA began recording in 2000.
In Michigan, more than 1 million residents are forecast to take a trip during the holiday weekend a nearly 57 percent increase from last year, when fewer than 700,000 residents traveled, due to the pandemic.
Memorial Day Holiday Travel to Rebound to More Than 37 Million
May 11, 2021
AAA predicts 60% more travelers than last year, Orlando and Las Vegas are top destinations this year
WALNUT CREEK Americans are showing a strong desire to travel this Memorial Day as more people get the COVID-19 vaccine and consumer confidence grows.
AAA Northern California expects more than 37 million people to travel 50 miles or more from home for the Memorial Day holiday (May 27 – May 31), an increase of 60% from 2020 when only 23 million traveled, the lowest on record since AAA began tracking travel data in 2000.
“If you choose to travel this Memorial Day, know what to expect at your destination and take measures to protect yourself and others as the pandemic continues,” said Sergio Avila, spokesperson, AAA Northern California.
“As more people get the COVID-19 vaccine and consumer confidence grows, Americans are demonstrating a strong desire to travel this Memorial Day,” Lloyd Albert, senior vice president of public and government affairs at AAA Northeast, said in a news release.
“This pent-up demand will result in a significant increase in Memorial Day travel, which is a strong indicator for summer, though we must all remember to continue taking important safety precautions, Albert said.
Still, AAA notes, this year s expected travel level would mark a 13% drop from 2019, when some 43 million traveled. Memorial Day is Monday, May 31. AAA includes Thursday through Monday in its travel projections.
Updated: 11:43 AM MDT May 11, 2021
BOISE, Idaho Memorial Day travel is expected to make a big return in 2021.
AAA predicts that more than 37 million Americans will journey more than 50 miles or home from home during the holiday weekend. And 202,000 Idahoans will be among them. That s 60% more than last year, but 13% less than in 2019.
AAA says that rising vaccination rates, loosening restrictions, and improved consumer confidence will motivate more Americans to take a long-awaited vacation. There are plenty of signs that the nation is in recovery mode. Unemployment is falling, discretionary debit and credit-card spending are on the rise, and more people are going through TSA screenings at airports, said AAA Idaho public affairs director Matthew Conde. Even though we aren t quite back to 2019 levels, it will still be a busy weekend, especially if you re traveling through a major metro area or heading into the backcountry on a two-lane highway.