As Memorial Day weekend nears, travel across the U.S. is hitting historic highs — and nowhere is that more noticeable than in Indianapolis, where the iconic Indy 500 is revving up for race day.
According to newly released data from AAA, an estimated 45.1 million Americans are expected to travel at least 50 miles from home between May 22 and May 26. That surpasses the previous record of 44 million set back in 2005, making this the busiest Memorial Day weekend in nearly two decades.
Indiana Prepares for Traffic Surge Amid Indy 500 Buzz
In Indiana alone, nearly 971,000 people are set to travel, with more than 883,000 expected to hit the roads, 52,000 flying, and about 35,000 using other modes like trains or buses. This travel boom coincides with the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500, a marquee event that draws fans from around the globe.
“We’re expecting to see the highest volume of travelers ever on record for Memorial Day,” said Christina Griffiths, spokesperson for AAA Hoosier Motor Club.
“This is the first time we’re surpassing 2019 numbers, marking a full rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Road Trips Dominate Memorial Day Plans
AAA notes that 87% of all travelers — or roughly 39.4 million people — are opting for road trips this year. While air travel is up 2% over last year (3.61 million passengers), it’s not expected to break records. Meanwhile, about 2.08 million are traveling by bus, train, or cruise.
Indy 500 Ticket Sales Near Sellout
Race day excitement is adding to the state’s traffic chaos. Ticket sales for the Indy 500 are up 4% year-over-year, and as of late April, 94% of the grandstands were sold out — bringing organizers closer to a full sellout and the potential lifting of the local broadcast blackout.
Travel Trends & Outlook
- Flight prices are down 7% year-over-year, per a Kayak report covering 100+ cities.
- U.S. summer travel to Europe is on the rise for the fourth straight year, according to Allianz.
This Memorial Day, travelers are not just returning to pre-pandemic habits — they’re accelerating past them.
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