Tennesseans are forecast to travel in record numbers for this year’s Memorial Day weekend. AAA forecasts more than 926,000 Tennesseans will travel 50 miles or more. That’s 14,800 more holiday travelers than the previous high, which was set in 2005.

“Memorial Day will be the start to a very busy summer of travel,” said Debbie Haas, Vice President of Travel for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “American travelers are forecast to surpass pre-pandemic levels, making this the busiest Memorial Day holiday weekend in nearly two decades. The main driver of the projection is strong consumer interest in traveling both domestically and abroad.  Interest in traveling internationally is at the highest level in recent years.”

Road trips are expected to be the second highest on record in Tennessee and set a record nationwide, with nearly 1.5 million more Americans on the road than last year. AAA projects nearly 38.4 million Americans will travel by car over Memorial Day weekend, the highest number for the holiday since AAA began tracking in 2000. The national number of drivers this year is up 4% compared to last year and 1.9% higher than in 2019.

“Traveling by car is appealing for many people because of the convenience and flexibility it provides,” said Megan Cooper, spokeswoman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “However, Memorial Day drivers may have to pay more at the gas pump.”

During last year’s holiday weekend, Tennessee gas prices averaged $3.19 per gallon. Sunday’s state average was $3.24. 

“Drivers should expect continued volatility at the pump as the summer driving season gets underway,” Cooper continued. The wildcard remains the cost of oil, and unlike last year, there are now two wars – in the Middle East and Ukraine – that could roil the oil market.”