Turn The Radio Up! Memorial Day Weekend Travel Poised For Record.

The Memorial Day weekend is upon us, and motorists will be hitting the road in droves, according to travel organization AAA.

AAA’s outlook calls for a record-high 39.4 million people traveling by car over the holiday weekend, the unofficial start of summer. AAA’s projection, which covers a five-day period from Thursday, May 22 to Monday, May 26, represents an increase of one million travelers vs. last year.

Driving is unmistakably the preferred transportation mode during holiday travel periods, with 87% of Memorial Day travelers opting for road trips — and that’s good news for AM/FM radio.

According to the latest findings from Audacy’s Connected Car study, AM/FM radio remains the preferred companion for drivers, even as infotainment systems add more streaming and digital options. It finds that two-thirds of drivers still consider local radio their primary in-car audio source.

Meanwhile, Edison Research’s latest “Share of Ear” report puts AM/FM’s share of in-car ad-supported audio listening time at 86% for those 18+. That has remained consistent since before the pandemic.

Those listeners might also get a surprise when they tune in — format changes are commonplace over the Memorial Day weekend, a time when families gather and listeners are captive.

Promoting the idea of traveling by car this year will be easing gas prices. “Memorial Day weekend getaways don’t have to be extravagant and costly,” says Stacey Barber, Vice President of AAA Travel. “While some travelers embark on dream vacations and fly hundreds of miles across the country, many families just pack up the car and drive to the beach or take a road trip to visit friends. Long holiday weekends are ideal for travel because many people have an extra day off work, and students are off from school.”

New research by Deloitte backs that up, finding that while Americans plan to travel more this summer, the trips may be less extensive. Its 2025 Summer Travel Survey finds that more than half (53%) of Americans plan to travel and stay in paid lodging this summer, up from 48% last year. Many are making it work by taking more frequent, but shorter, trips: 41% plan to take a summer trip of three nights or fewer vs. 37% last year. But when looking at their longest planned trip of the summer, many are adding days: 45% of travelers say their longest trip will last a week or more, up from 39% in 2024.

Deloitte also sees more driving this summer, with road trips on the rise. The number of travelers planning to take a road trip this summer jumped from 64% for those surveyed in March to 71% for those surveyed in April, also up year-over-year from 2024 (66%).

“Travelers appear eager to embark on their summer trips, but pricing pressures and economic influences are expected to chart the course for how they get there,” says Kate Ferrara, Vice Chair and U.S. Transportation, Hospitality and Services Sector Leader. “By swapping flights for road trips or planning shorter, budget-friendly adventures, travelers are likely seeking value while making memories. By remaining nimble in their offerings, providers have an opportunity to meet travelers halfway, offering flexibility and options, and, most importantly, reminding travelers what their summer trips are all about.”