We Speak Travel & Getaways
A Record 45 Million Americans Set to Travel for Memorial Day 2026 — and Orlando Leads the Way
Memorial Day weekend 2026 is set to be the biggest travel weekend on record. AAA projected nearly 45 million Americans would travel at least 50 miles from home — 44.95 million in its final table — the highest total on record, though year-over-year growth was less than one percent. The five-day travel period runs from Thursday, May 21 through Monday, May 25, 2026.
Road trips dominate: 39.07 million people were expected to drive, up 0.1%. Another 3.654 million were projected to fly, up 0.3%, while travel by other modes — bus, train and cruise — jumped 5.2% to 2.223 million, the largest percentage increase of any category, reflecting expanded cruise capacity and continued demand for Alaska itineraries.
“Memorial Day travel is still reaching record levels, but with the smallest year-over-year increase in more than a decade,” said Tiffany Wright, spokesperson for AAA – The Auto Club Group, noting that higher fuel prices and persistent inflation might lead some travelers to shorten trips, delay plans or stay closer to home.
Costs were a mixed picture: based on AAA booking data, round-trip domestic flights averaged $800, about 6% cheaper than the year before, and domestic car rentals were 1% cheaper. Orlando was the top rental market by demand, ahead of Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Denver and Boston.
Florida took two of the top five domestic destinations in AAA booking data — Orlando ranked No. 1 and Miami No. 5 — while Rome, Italy led the international list, followed by Vancouver, Paris, London and Athens. Transportation analytics firm INRIX advised drivers to expect the heaviest congestion Thursday and Friday between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. and on Monday afternoon, with Sunday the lightest travel day. AAA developed the forecast with S&P Global Market Intelligence, using a methodology finalized the week of April 13, 2026.
Moxy Atlanta Downtown Brings Music-Themed Boutique Energy to the City Center
The Storied Chambers Hotel Reopens as an Independent Boutique Destination in Midtown Manhattan
Anguilla Named Caribbean’s Leading Culinary and Luxury Island Destination at 2026 World Travel Awards
Brightline Is Coming to the Space Coast: $57 Million Federal Grant Funds a New Cocoa Station
Smith-Njigba, Wilson Lead Seahawks Past Chiefs 20-3 on Sunday Night, Handing Kansas City Its First Loss
Six Straight: No. 12 Kentucky Erases Early Hole to Beat Vanderbilt 34-17
Texas Holds On This Time: Longhorns Survive Ole Miss Comeback 34-27
Orsan at the Buzzer: South Carolina Shocks No. 11 Tennessee 27-24 in ColumbiaWe Speak Travel & Getaways
Moxy Atlanta Downtown Brings Music-Themed Boutique Energy to the City Center
Moxy Atlanta Downtown brings high-voltage boutique energy to the city center, pairing 183 music-themed guest rooms with three distinct gathering spaces.
Surrounded by landmarks like Mercedes-Benz Stadium, State Farm Arena, the Georgia Aquarium, and World of Coca-Cola, the property greets incoming guests at Bar Moxy with a complimentary arrival cocktail before sending them through lyric-lined corridors layered with local street art.
Executive sessions find privacy inside the Library, an intimate salon configured for 12 guests with integrated AV solutions and high-speed Wi-Fi. Turnkey hospitality operations — complete with in-house culinary service and dedicated event staffing — support everything from seated society galas to high-profile corporate receptions.
For off-the-record entertaining, the Powder Room operates as a concealed speakeasy with an indoor-outdoor terrace behind an unmarked door.
Receptions migrate upstairs to the Jagger Suite, a disco-inflected rooftop lounge anchored by skyline views and a 12-foot disco unicorn, accompanied by rotating DJs and morning activations via LA cult breakfast import Eggslut.
It all adds up to one of downtown Atlanta’s most playful new places to stay — and to gather — this fall.
Follow Moxy Hotels on Instagram: @moxyhotels
The Storied Chambers Hotel Reopens as an Independent Boutique Destination in Midtown Manhattan
Anguilla Named Caribbean’s Leading Culinary and Luxury Island Destination at 2026 World Travel Awards
Brightline Is Coming to the Space Coast: $57 Million Federal Grant Funds a New Cocoa Station
Hilton Plants Its Flag in Key West: A 175-Room Marina Resort Opens on Stock Island
Smith-Njigba, Wilson Lead Seahawks Past Chiefs 20-3 on Sunday Night, Handing Kansas City Its First Loss
Six Straight: No. 12 Kentucky Erases Early Hole to Beat Vanderbilt 34-17
Texas Holds On This Time: Longhorns Survive Ole Miss Comeback 34-27
Orsan at the Buzzer: South Carolina Shocks No. 11 Tennessee 27-24 in Columbia-
We Speak Jazz3 days agoToronto Jazz Singer Ori Dagan Announces First Live Album ‘Live in the Market’ for October 23 Release
-
We Speak Comedy4 days agoNate Bargatze Plays Rexburg Tomorrow, Then Settles Into Las Vegas on the Record-Breaking Big Dumb Eyes Tour
-
WE Speak MMA4 days agoUFC 334: Gane vs. Hokit, Harrison vs. Nunes Title Fights Set for November 14 at Madison Square Garden
-
We Speak Movies2 days agoAFI Fest 2026 Opens in Hollywood: Laika’s ‘Wildwood’ Kicks Off the Festival’s 40th Edition
