Travelers from Nebraska’s region are forecast to travel in near record numbers for this year’s Memorial Day weekend.
AAA forecasts more than 3.74 million people from the West North Central Region (includes IA, KS, MN, MO, ND, NE, SD) will travel 50 miles or more. That’s 116,000 more holiday travelers than 2024, but 71,000 less than the overall travel record for the region which was set in 2005.
Nationwide, AAA expects more than 45.1 million to travel for Memorial Day weekend. That’s 1.4 million more domestic travelers than last year. It’s also a new Memorial Day weekend record, surpassing the previous record set back in 2005 with 44 million people.
| WNC Numbers | 2025 | 2024 | 2005 |
| Total Travelers | 3.74 million | 3.63 million | 3.81 million |
| Automobile | 3.25 million | 3.13 million | 3.27 million |
| Airplane | 157,000 | 156,000 | 241,000 |
| Other Modes | 375,000* | 340,000** | 303,000 |
*New Record **Previous Record
| National Numbers | 2025 | 2024 | 2005 |
| Total Travelers | 45.1 million | 43.7 million | 44 million |
| Automobile | 39.4 million | 38.2 million | 37.3 million |
| Airplane | 3.61 million | 3.55 million | 3.64 million |
| Other Modes | 2.08 million | 1.92 million | 3.08 million |
AAA is also providing travelers with tips on ways to save money on the trip.
Flights
- Booking flights that depart on Tuesdays or return on Wednesdays will save you money, since weekend flights tend to be more expensive.
- If you’re not picky about selecting a seat ahead of time or boarding at the end, basic economy can be a great option for budget-conscious travelers, just read the fine print when it comes to restrictions.
- Reserving airport parking ahead of time can save you money.
- To save money on meals, bring your own. You can’t go through TSA security with beverages, but you can bring food from home.
Hotels and Rental Cars
- Hotels in prime locations and tourist areas tend to be more expensive than hotels a bit removed from the action. In major cities, look for hotels within walking distance to public transit to save money on transportation.
- Reserving a rental car early guarantees you’ll get what you want. To save money, consider the type of vehicle you want versus what you actually need. If you’re traveling with a small group and don’t need a ton of room, smaller vehicles tend to be more economical and fuel-efficient.
Gas
- Gas prices are lower than last Memorial Day weekend, says AAA’s Brian Ortner.
- Travelers can check current prices on the AAA fuel site and use the AAA gas cost calculator to get an idea of how much the trip will cost.
- Once you hit the road, keep in mind the gas stations right off the interstate are usually the most expensive. If you’re looking to save money, drive a little bit farther down the road for cheaper gas.
- After you fill up, avoid speeding. Fuel economy peaks around 50 mph on most cars, then drops off as speeds increase. Reducing highway speeds by 5 to 10 mph can increase fuel economy by as much as 14%.
Best/Worst Times to Drive and Peak Congestion by Metro
Provider of transportation data and insights, INRIX, expects the afternoons over Memorial Day weekend to be the most congested. Travelers should hit the road during the morning hours.
Please note that the times listed below are for the time zone in which the metro is located.
| Best and Worst Times to Travel by Car | ||
| Date | Worst Travel Time | Best Travel Time |
| Thursday, May 22 | 1:00 – 9:00 PM | Before 12:00 PM |
| Friday, May 23 | 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM | Before 11:00 AM |
| Saturday, May 24 | 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM | Before 12:00 PM |
| Sunday, May 25 | 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM | Before 1:00 PM |
| (Memorial Day)
Monday, May 26 |
4:00 PM – 7:00 PM | Before 2:00 PM |
Orlando tops the domestic list of most popular destinations this memorial day weekend, due to its popular theme parks and nearby cruise port, Port Canaveral. Cruising is the reason Seattle and Anchorage made the top 10 list, since Memorial Day kicks off peak Alaska cruise season. Internationally, Rome is the number one destination. Vancouver is also popular because of its cruise port.