Philadelphians are getting ready for Memorial Day weekend — the unofficial start to summer — and according to AAA, more than 525,000 people throughout the Greater Philadelphia Region will travel this weekend.
More than 90% of local travelers—or more than 475,000—are expected to hit the road this weekend, up 3% over 2024. Air travel is predicted to increase over last year’s numbers as well, with more than 38,000 Philadelphia-area residents expected to fly to their destinations. Travel by other modes of transportation (train, bus, cruise) is predicted to see nearly 13,000 local residents, up nearly 7% from last year.
“Memorial Day is the unofficial start of summer and with that, people are expected to get away, despite concerns about rising prices, making adjustments to duration and cost of such trips,” said Jana Tidwell, manager of public and government affairs for AAA Mid-Atlantic. “While some travelers embark on dream vacations, our proximity to the shore, mountains, amusement parks, and professional sports team venues, makes it easy for those looking to travel to plan a road trip to their favorite destination with family and friends for the long holiday weekend.”
Economic uncertainties and concerns over rising prices have influenced vacations for many, with more people planning trips closer to home. Nationwide, AAA projects 45.1 million people will travel at least 50 miles from home over the Memorial Day holiday weekend.
Ways to save when traveling
For those planning a road trip, shop around for gas prices — gas stations further off the highway are usually cheaper — and once 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%.
If you’re planning to fly to your destination over Memorial Day weekend, reserving airport parking ahead of time can save you money. Also, booking flights that depart on Tuesdays or return on Wednesdays will help cut costs, since weekends flights tend to be more expensive. Booking basic economy seats can be a good option for budget-conscious travelers — just read the fine print when it comes to restrictions.
When booking a hotel, remember that hotels in prime locations and tourist areas are often more expensive than places a bit removed from the action. In major cities, look for hotels within walking distance to public transit to save money on transportation.
