No Memorial Day Travel Forecast From AAA – First Time In Two Decades

For the first time in 20 years, AAA will not issue a Memorial Day travel forecast, as the accuracy of the economic data used to create the forecast has been undermined by COVID-19. The annual forecast – which estimates the number of people traveling over the holiday weekend – will return next year. Anecdotal reports suggest fewer people will hit the road compared to years past for what is considered the unofficial start of the summer travel season. Last year, 43 million Americans traveled for Memorial Day Weekend – the second-highest travel volume on record since AAA began tracking holiday travel volumes in 2000. With social distancing guidelines still in practice, AAA said this holiday weekend’s travel volume is likely to set a record low. Memorial Day 2009, which was right after the Great Recession hit, currently holds the record for the lowest travel volume at nearly 31 million travelers.