AAA’s latest Memorial Day driving schedule in the available forecast is for 2026, covering Thursday, May 21, through Monday, May 25. Those dates have passed, so the times below are historical guidance—not a forecast for the next Memorial Day. For 2026, AAA said the best departures were generally early in the day Friday, Saturday and Monday, while Sunday was expected to have minimal traffic impact. All times were local to the relevant metro or route area.
AAA’s 2026 best and worst times to drive
Here is AAA’s date-by-date schedule from its May 11, 2026 forecast. Use it only as a record of what AAA expected for that year; it does not establish conditions for another year or for a particular route.
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| Date | Worst time to travel | Best time to travel |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday, May 21 | 12:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m. | After 9:00 p.m. |
| Friday, May 22 | 11:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. | Before 11:00 a.m. |
| Saturday, May 23 | 12:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m. | Before 11:00 a.m. |
| Sunday, May 24 | Minimal traffic impact expected | Not stated by AAA |
| Monday, May 25 | 12:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m. | Before 10:00 a.m. |
AAA’s broader summary, citing INRIX, identified Thursday and Friday from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Monday afternoon as periods when congestion was expected to be heaviest. Sunday was forecast to be the lightest day, barring unexpected road events. Those broad periods complement the table; they are not a replacement for its date-specific windows. AAA’s 2026 Memorial Day forecast.
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When should you leave for Memorial Day weekend?
For the 2026 holiday period, AAA’s schedule pointed to an early departure Friday, Saturday or Monday, and a departure after 9 p.m. Thursday. AAA expected minimal traffic impact Sunday. The schedule’s times are local to the relevant metro or route area, not a single time zone for the country.
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For a future Memorial Day, check for that year’s forecast rather than carrying these windows forward. AAA’s schedules vary: its 2025 table gave Thursday, May 22 a worst window of 1 p.m.–9 p.m. and a best departure before noon; its 2026 table shifted the date and listed the best time as after 9 p.m. AAA’s 2024 table listed Thursday, May 23 as worst from noon to 6 p.m. and best before 11 a.m. or after 7 p.m.; it also forecast a Sunday 3–7 p.m. worst window. AAA’s 2025 forecast and AAA’s 2024 forecast show why a holiday schedule needs its year attached.
How to use a holiday traffic forecast for your route
AAA’s national timing guidance does not predict the live conditions for every individual trip. Construction, weather, crashes and local traffic can change the picture. Use a forecast to choose a departure window, then check current conditions for your route close to leaving.
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- Versatile Car Phone Mount: Cell phone car mount boasts premium suction strength and an upgraded air vent clip, allowing for flexible installation options on windshields, dashboards, and air vents. Note！3M Dashboard Pad is NOT REQUIRED when using a phone holder on windshield
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- Confirm the forecast applies to the correct Memorial Day year and note whether times are local to your route area.
- Check live route conditions before departure; unexpected incidents can change travel times.
- If your schedule allows, consider traveling outside the forecast’s worst window rather than assuming the forecast guarantees an empty road.
Plan for a safer drive
AAA recommends planning the route and driving rested, undistracted and sober. Before leaving, check the vehicle’s battery, tire pressure and fluids. These precautions do not change traffic, but they can help you prepare for the trip.
What AAA projected for 2026 holiday travel
AAA projected 45 million people would travel at least 50 miles from home during the May 21–25, 2026 Memorial Day period. The forecast included 39.1 million car travelers and 3.66 million air travelers; AAA said driving represented 87% of holiday travelers. These are AAA’s 2026 projections, not observed final counts or estimates for a later year. AAA cited 44.8 million travelers as the prior year’s total in its 2026 forecast. AAA’s 2026 forecast and figures.
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