AAA projects that nearly 43 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more this Memorial Day weekend—with a record-breaking number taking road trips. AAA Western and Central New York looked into the top destinations for local travelers: Myrtle Beach topped the list, as well as national parks, Outer Banks, Cape Cod and drivable campgrounds. No surprise, Orlando tops the list for travelers across the U.S. AAA expects Thursday, May 23 and Friday, May 24 to be the busiest travel days.

By the numbers: 2019 Memorial Day holiday travel forecast

• Automobiles: The vast majority of travelers – 37.6 million – will hit the road, the most on record for the holiday and 3.5% more than last year.
• Planes: 3.25 million people will take to the skies, 4.8% more than last year, second only to 2005. 
• Trains, Buses and Cruise Ships: Travel across these sectors will increase by 3.8% to 1.9 million passengers.
• In New York State, 2.65 million people will be traveling for the holiday, an increase of 3.5 percent from 2018. A record 2.39 million will be traveling by car and nearly 183,000 by air. 73,000 will be traveling by other modes of transportation.

Drivers are actually paying less for gasoline than last year! As of May 22, the average price for a gallon of gasoline in New York State is $2.96—last year, it was $3.08. The national average is $2.84. In the Western and Central New York region, the averages are as follows:

• Batavia - $2.85
• Buffalo - $2.89
• Ithaca - $2.87
• Rochester - $2.89
• Rome - $2.89
• Syracuse - $2.86
• Watertown - $2.96

Gas prices are cheaper for the majority of motorists, despite the fact that U.S. gasoline stocks sit at a 7 million bbl deficit year-over-year. Crude oil prices have remained relatively stable the past few months, which is one reason gas prices are cheaper than last year at this time. However, motorists shouldn’t be too surprised if prices inch up.

With the majority of travelers driving to their Memorial Day destinations, AAA suggests drivers prepare their cars ahead of time. AAA expects to rescue more than 353,000 motorists nationwide at the roadside this Memorial Day weekend. Dead batteries, lockouts and flat tires will be the leading reasons AAA members will request service.