Memorial Day Travel vs. The Pump
May 11, 2026
PROJECTED TRAVELERS
45.1M
AAA 2026 forecast — all-time record
AVG. GAS PRICE
$3.89
national avg. heading into Memorial Day 2026
ROAD TRAVELERS
38.4M
~85% of all Memorial Day travelers
YOY INCREASE
+3.2%
vs. Memorial Day 2025 actual
HORMUZ PREMIUM
+$0.34
est. per-gallon impact of Iran conflict
Total Travelers (M, left axis)
Avg Gas Price $/gal (right axis)
2026 Projected
Key Questions
Sources: AAA Travel Forecasts · U.S. Energy Information Administration · Bureau of Transportation Statistics
Data sources
AAA Memorial Day Travel Forecast Archive· AAA (American Automobile Association)Weekly Retail Gasoline and Diesel Prices· U.S. Energy Information AdministrationAirline Travel Statistics — Memorial Day Period· Bureau of Transportation StatisticsUniversity of Michigan Surveys of Consumers (Sentiment Index)· University of Michigan / FREDShort-Term Energy Outlook — Crude Oil and Gasoline Price Forecasts· U.S. Energy Information AdministrationStrait of Hormuz Oil Flow Data· U.S. Energy Information Administration