(Omaha) AAA projects more than 3.76 million people from the West North Central Region, which includes Nebraska and Iowa, will travel at least 50 miles from home for Memorial Day weekend. That is 16,000 more than in 2025. The travel period includes five days, beginning on the Thursday before Memorial Day and ending on Monday.
Brian Ortner, Public Affairs Specialist for the Iowa and Nebraska AAA, tells KSOM/KS95 News Memorial Day travel is still reaching record levels; however, this is the smallest year-over-year increase in more than a decade. Nationally, AAA expects nearly 45 million Americans to travel over the Memorial Day holiday, the highest total on record. However, year-over-year growth remains below 1%.
Ortner says most travelers from the region will take road trips, with more than 3.15 million expected to drive. Another 158,000 will fly, while nearly 406,000 will travel by other modes such as bus, train, or cruise.
Ortner says higher fuel prices and persistent inflation may cause some travelers to shorten trips, delay plans, or stay closer to home. He admits gas prices are something to keep an eye on as we move into the Memorial Day Holiday. Ortner says that last year, during the holiday weekend, gas prices nationally averaged $3.17 per gallon, and across Iowa, $2.93 per gallon. As of today, gas prices across Iowa average $4.18 per gallon, and $4.51 across the U.S.
Brian Ortner urges drivers to Slow Down, Move Over for disabled vehicles and roadside responders. During last year’s Memorial Day weekend, AAA responded to more than 350,000 emergency roadside assistance calls nationwide to help stranded drivers with issues like dead batteries, flat tires, and empty fuel tanks. AAA encourages drivers to check their tires, battery, and fluid levels before hitting the road.
INRIX, a provider of transportation data and insights, says Memorial Day weekend drivers should expect the heaviest congestion on Thursday and Friday between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. and Monday afternoon. Sunday should be the lightest day for traffic, barring any unexpected events on the road.
