This Memorial Day weekend expected to be biggest for travel since 2019

Millions of Americans are ready to start the summer travel season with a trip this Memorial Day weekend, at almost any price.

Call it a “revenge journey.” Thirty-nine million people are expected to travel, more than 8% more than in 2021, according to AAA.

Of that number, about 35 million Americans are expected to hit the road. despite record gas prices. More than 3 million Americans will ascend to the sky, according to AAA estimates. This would make the festive weekend the busiest since 2019.

“What we’ve been through as a country for the last two years is encouraging people to come out. They want to have these experiences,” AAA spokesman Andrew Gross told CBS News.

These experiences will have a financial cost that most Americans seem willing to pay: gas prices continue to break records and hotel prices have risen 42% compared to last year.

“What am I going to do, just not go anywhere?”

“It sucks, but what am I going to do, just not go anywhere?” Houston resident Hunter Berecz told CBS News.

GasBuddy energy analyst Patrick De Haan expects fuel costs to continue rising. The average cost of a gallon of normal gas could reach $ 5 in a couple of weeks, he said, indicating that travel could be even more expensive over the summer season.

Gas prices exceeded $ 4 in each U.S. state for the first time earlier this month.

For motorcyclists, experts suggest filling their tanks about a mile from the freeway, where prices are usually lower.

Flyers who booked their plane tickets early got the best rates, but they could be left out if they haven’t booked a rental car yet. There is talk of low-cost, compact vehicles, while some larger, more expensive vehicles may still be available.