Almost 93% drive to destinations

PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) – AAA predicts a significant increase in the number of Americans who plan to travel on this Memorial Day holiday weekend. 37 million Americans (11.2% of the population) are expected to be 50 miles or more from home. This is a 60% increase over the previous year when only 23 million people traveled. This is the lowest value since AAA inclusion began in 2000.

The Pacific region (AK, CA, HI, OR, WA) is projected to travel 6.2 million people (11.5% of the population), a 64% increase from 2020. In Oregon, approximately 485,000 people will travel via the US long weekend. Memorial Day travel time is defined as Thursday, May 27th through Monday, May 31st.

The expected sharp spike in demand from last year’s vacation, which declined in the early stages of the coronavirus pandemic, is still 13% – or nearly 6 million – fewer travelers than in 2019. AAA urges those who choose this year , to exercise caution and take steps to protect yourself and others while the pandemic continues.

“We’re seeing strong pent-up demand for travel for Memorial Day and the summer months, after a year most of us stayed home. As more people get vaccinated, they are eager to get back off and go on trips, ”said Doreen Loofburrow, senior vice president of travel for AAA Oregon / Idaho. “However, it is important to remember that the pandemic is not over yet and we must all do our part to ensure that travel is as safe as possible.”

AAA notes that the actual number of vacation travelers may fluctuate as we near Memorial Day. If there is an increase in reported cases attributable to new COVID-19 variants, some people may choose to stay at home while others note progress with vaccinations and make last-minute decisions to to travel.

AAA recommends working with a travel agent who can help you if you need to make last minute changes to travel plans, explore travel insurance options, and help you plan a vacation that suits your needs and level of comfort this summer . AAA also recommends travelers book their accommodations, camping, attractions, and rental cars before leaving home.

Another factor contributing to the expected increase in travel on this vacation is the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently updated guidelines that fully vaccinated people can travel domestically at low risk for themselves while they are take reasonable precautions.

For travelers who are not vaccinated but plan to travel, CDC recommends that you practice social distancing, wear a mask, wash your hands, and get tested before and after your trip. Whether or not you have been vaccinated, keep in mind that masks are required on planes, buses, trains, and other public transportation in, in, or out of the United States, and in U.S. transportation hubs such as airports and train stations.

AAA has developed an interactive TripTik map with local and state COVID-19 travel restrictions below AAA.com/Covidmap. Just click on the destination you want to visit for the latest information. Find the latest COVID-19 information from AAA for travelers Here.

Top destinations on Memorial Day:

AAA Travel has recently seen a significant increase in online traffic and bookings on AAA.com, especially for hotels and rental cars, during the summer travel season. Domestic travel and road travel remain the most popular.

Utah and Hawaii national parks are the most popular destinations on this Memorial Day, based on searches and bookings from AAA Oregon / Idaho members:

Car trips:

  1. Utah National Parks
  2. Central Oregon
  3. Yellowstone National Park
  4. Northern California
  5. Montana

AAA travel bookings:

  1. Honolulu, HI
  2. Maui, HI
  3. Las Vegas, NV
  4. Orlando, FL
  5. Cancun, Mexico

Other popular regional destinations for Memorial Day include the Oregon Coast, Crater Lake, and Seattle.

AAA has a library of digital resources to make your trip more enjoyable, all in one convenient place AAA.com/maps. Digital TourBooks are filled with points of interest and other helpful information. You can download entire books or print out the pages you want to bring with you. The TripTik trip planner provides turn-by-turn directions to keep you on the best route. The AAA mobile app lets you request emergency service, book a last minute hotel, and even find the cheapest fuel and the closest EV charging stations along the way.

Road trips are the most popular way to travel

Almost 93% of travelers on Memorial Day will get to their destinations as many Americans continue to prefer road travel to travel by air, train, and other modes of transport. A total of 34 million Americans will drive a car, up 52% ​​from last year but still 9% less than in 2019.

Air travel see big leap; Traveling with other modes falls

After a historically low year of flying in 2020, nearly 2.5 million Americans will board aircraft on this memorial day, almost six times more than last year (+ 577%). Nevertheless, 750,000 fewer people will fly into the sky on this holiday compared to 2019. AAA reminds air travelers that masks are required at all airports and flights.

In Oregon, approximately 46,000 will fly to their Memorial Day destinations.

Meanwhile, on this memorial day, only 237,000 Americans will travel by other modes of transport such as buses and trains. This is the second lowest volume ever recorded, higher than the 185,000 who traveled in 2020. In 2021, travel via these modes will be 88% below the 2019 level.

Thursday and Friday afternoons are the busiest times on the streets

INRIX, a global transportation analysis firm, believes that delays on major roads in cities can be two to three times longer than normal as vacation travel mixes with commuters. The busiest travel times are Thursday and Friday afternoons (May 27 and 28) from approx. 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

“We advise motorists, if possible, not to leave in the afternoon and Friday on Thursday and Friday. Although vehicle journeys have decreased by as much as 40% in some areas, afternoon congestion has almost returned to pre-pandemic levels. Plan your trip so that you don’t have to drive through urban areas during these times. Know that it will likely take longer than usual to get to your destination and do math on busy roads, ”said Marie Dodds, director of public affairs for AAA Oregon / Idaho.

Gas prices much higher than last year

Gas prices are about $ 1 higher than a year ago when demand fell as much of the country was on “stay-at-home” orders.

The national average is currently $ 2.99 and the Oregon average is $ 3.35 as of May 11th. Current gas prices can be found at https://gasprices.aaa.com/.

Motorists can expect the national average to be the most expensive since 2014, with the national average potentially being more than $ 3 a gallon.

The Oregon average will be the most expensive in two years.

Currently, the Colonial Pipeline, which supplies 45% of its fuel to the east coast, is offline due to a cyberattack that will contribute to price hikes and limited fuel supplies before the vacation. This will affect areas from Mississippi to Tennessee and the east coast from Georgia to Delaware, but hopefully will be resolved before Memorial Day weekend. Other regions, including the west coast, will have little impact.

According to the AAA, higher gas prices don’t keep people at home. “When gasoline prices are expensive, many travelers will find other ways to save money, such as renting a car. For example, cut the length of a trip, stay closer to home, cut down on dining and / or dine in moderately priced restaurants, cut the shopping budget, and check out free or low-cost activities, ”says Dodds.

Summer fuel supply

As gasoline demand increases, gas stations are working to adjust delivery schedules to keep pace. However, there have been cases where some stations see little to no supply to the pumps for a few days due to late deliveries. Central and southern Oregon were two areas that suffered temporary and limited gasoline blackouts over the past month.

During the vacation weekend, some gas stations in popular travel destinations – such as beaches and mountain areas – may experience temporary outages. “It is important to understand that this does not have a market-wide impact as fuel can be found at other stations within a market. There is no shortage of gas supplies in the US. There is a lot of gasoline around the country. Rather, they are delays in delivery, partly caused by a lack of tanker drivers, ”adds Dodds.

As a general rule of thumb, AAA recommends drivers consider refueling when their fuel level is one-fourth of a tank.

AAA to the rescue this Memorial Day weekend

AAA expects to save more than 468,000 domestic and 7,000 drivers in Oregon that Memorial Day weekend. The most common problems are dead batteries, lockouts, and flat tires.

With AAA you can easily request support – by phone or text (1-800-AAA-HELP). App or on-line– and members can follow the service technician’s progress on the way to your vehicle

Make sure your car is ready to drive. Have your vehicle checked by a trusted repair shop, e.g. B. one of the more than 7,000 AAA approved auto repair shop Facilities across North America.

Prepare for emergencies with a cell phone and car charger, a flashlight with extra batteries, a first aid kit, a basic toolkit, and drinking water and snacks for all passengers and pets. Bring extra masks and cleaning supplies, including disinfectant wipes. Share your itinerary with family or friends so authorities know where to look for you if you don’t get to your destination.

visit AAA.com/covidmap for an interactive map of the latest North America travel restrictions and guidelines. Find the latest COVID-19 information from AAA for travelers here Here.