This year’s Memorial Day weekend is shaping up to be one of the busiest in decades, with travel projections reaching record highs.
According to recent estimates, over 45 million people across the U.S. are expected to journey at least 50 miles from home between May 22 and 26. This marks a new peak, beating a travel record set nearly 20 years ago.
In Indiana alone, around 971,000 travelers are gearing up for the holiday. The majority—more than 883,000—will be hitting the roads, while about 52,000 plan to fly, and 35,000 will travel by train, bus, or other means.
Why the surge?
Despite ongoing economic concerns, Americans aren’t letting that stop them from celebrating the unofficial start of summer. In Indiana, the travel rush is even more intense thanks to the world-famous Indy 500, which falls on the same weekend.
Indy 500 Buzz
Ticket sales for the 109th running of the race have seen a 4% increase from last year, and officials report that about 94% of grandstand seats have already been sold. A full house could even lift the long-standing local broadcast blackout—a rare treat for fans watching from home.
The Road Is Calling
Nationwide, 87% of Memorial Day travelers—approximately 39.4 million people—are choosing to drive. That means more traffic on already construction-heavy roads, especially in Indiana. Drivers are urged to plan ahead and pack their patience.
Air travel is also up 2% from last year, with 3.61 million passengers expected to fly during the holiday. However, those numbers aren’t expected to break any new records.
More Travel Trends:
- 2.08 million people will use trains, buses, or cruise ships.
- Flight prices for summer are down 7% compared to last year across major U.S. cities.
- International summer travel to Europe continues to rise for the fourth consecutive year.
Looking Ahead
This surge in travel reflects a steady climb over the past five years, with holiday travel returning stronger than pre-pandemic levels. Memorial Day, Thanksgiving, and year-end travel have all hit new highs recently—and the trend looks set to continue through summer.
Tip: If you're traveling this weekend, allow extra time, stay updated on traffic or flight delays, and enjoy the ride—summer has officially begun.
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