Texas Memorial Day travel is expected to reach record levels in 2026, with AAA Texas projecting 3.7 million Texans will travel at least 50 miles from home during the holiday period.
The Memorial Day travel window runs from Thursday, May 21, through Monday, May 25, 2026, and road trips are expected to dominate across Texas and the United States.
AAA Texas projects about 3.2 million Texans will travel by car, making driving the top choice for holiday getaways, family visits, and the unofficial start of summer travel. Another 310,000 Texans are expected to fly, while about 178,000 will travel by bus, train, cruise, or other modes.
AAA Forecast Points to Record US Memorial Day Travel
Nationally, AAA projects 45 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home during the Memorial Day weekend period. That would set a new Memorial Day weekend travel record, with 39.1 million people expected to drive and 3.66 million expected to take domestic flights.
AAA said road travel remains strong even as gas prices are higher than last year. Air travel is also expected to rise slightly, helped by lower average ticket prices for travelers who booked early.
“Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer, and for most Americans, it’s a three-day weekend,” said Stacey Barber, Vice President of AAA Travel. “Travel demand remains strong, and despite higher fuel prices, many people are prioritizing leisure travel during holiday breaks.”
When Texas Drivers Should Expect Heavier Roads
AAA and INRIX said drivers should expect the heaviest congestion nationally on Thursday, May 21, and Friday, May 22, between 3:00 PM and 6:00 PM, as well as Monday afternoon. For Texas travelers, the Houston-to-Austin route is expected to see peak congestion around 3:00 PM on Friday, May 22, 2026, with travel time estimated at about 3 hours and 50 minutes.
The forecast shows that Texans are continuing to prioritize leisure travel despite higher fuel costs. For readers planning holiday trips, the clearest takeaway is simple: leave early, check vehicles before long drives, and expect crowded highways and airports during one of the busiest travel weekends of the year.
