As Memorial Day approaches, the U.S. travel industry anticipates a record-breaking weekend. AAA predicts that over 45 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from their homes between Thursday and Monday, surpassing the previous record set 20 years ago. This represents a 1.4 million increase from last year, with the majority opting for road trips.

AAA spokesperson Aixa Diaz noted that despite economic concerns, people are still enthusiastic about traveling, although some may choose to spend less. Temperatures will vary across the country, with warm conditions in the South and West and cooler temperatures in the Midwest and Northeast. Meteorologist Peter Mullinax advises travelers to stay alert for severe weather warnings, as weather is a major cause of flight delays.

About 87% of travelers will drive to their Memorial Day destinations. AAA's fuel tracker indicates lower gasoline prices compared to last year, averaging around USD3.20 per gallon. Renting a vehicle and staying in a hotel may also be less expensive. INRIX forecasts the worst traffic congestion in the afternoons and evenings, advising travelers to depart before noon on Thursday and before 11 a.m. on Friday. On Memorial Day, peak congestion is expected from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) expects to screen approximately 18 million passengers and crew at airports across the U.S. from Thursday through Wednesday. While air safety concerns have been raised, Gary Anderson and his wife chose to fly from Washington D.C. to Dallas to avoid a long drive. Most major U.S. airlines plan to reduce domestic flights this summer due to a decrease in economy passengers booking leisure trips.

Despite potential concerns, an analysis by Cirium indicates a 6% increase in tickets bought through online travel sites for Memorial Day weekend across nearly two dozen U.S. airports compared to last year. Danielle Clinton, traveling from Chicago to Dallas, found a round-trip airfare for about USD200.

The U.S. travel and tourism industry is closely monitoring the summer travel season. Concerns about international perceptions of the U.S. have led to a decrease in travelers from some countries. The Canadian statistics agency reported a decline in return trips from the U.S. by air and car.

Popular destinations include Texas state parks, where stargazing events are planned, and Orlando, Florida, which tops AAA's list due to its theme parks and cruise port. Other sought-after cities for short getaways include New York, Miami, and Las Vegas.