A record number of travelers are expected to hit the road for Memorial Day despite still-rising gas prices.

According to AAA Idaho, 45 million Americans — including 268,000 Idahoans — are projected to travel at least 50 miles from home during Memorial Day weekend. It could be costly, as the average gallon of gasoline in the Gem State cost $4.68 as of Tuesday, the highest Memorial Day mark since it was $4.72 in 2022.

“Obviously, there’s never a great time for skyrocketing gas prices, but the pain is significant with so much of our summer travel season still ahead,” AAA Idaho public affairs director Matthew Conde said in a news release. “For now, we believe that people will trim the budget in other ways and still hit the road or catch their flight.”

GAS OUTLOOKIdaho’s gas prices are among the highest nationwide and sit above the national average of $4.53. Conde notes that the situation may be murky through the Fourth of July.

“The thing to keep in mind is that most folks booked trips and hotels and planned these vacations well before the uncertainties brought on by the conflict in the Middle East,” Conde said. “We may have to get to the 4th of July to see if travel is significantly swayed by current events.”

AAA provided a seven-year retrospective of Memorial Day gas prices in Idaho and the U.S.:

• 2026 — Idaho: $4.68. U.S: $4.53
• 2025 — Idaho: $3.29. U.S.: $3.18
• 2024 — Idaho: $3.75. U.S.: $3.59
• 2023 — Idaho: $3.88. U.S: $3.58
• 2022 — Idaho: $4.72. U.S.: $4.62
• 2021 — Idaho: $3.24. U.S.: $3.04
• 2020 — Idaho: $2.13. U.S.: $1.96
• 2019 — Idaho: $3.20. U.S.: $2.83.

HOW PEOPLE WILL TRAVELAs is the norm, a vast majority of Memorial Day travelers will drive to their destination.

AAA projects that about 39.1 million of the forecasted 45 million trip-goers in the U.S. will travel by car — about 87%. Another 3.66 million will fly, and the remaining 2.2 million will board a ship, bus or train.

WHERE PEOPLE WILL TRAVELAAA projects the following destinations to be the most visited by Idahoans during Memorial Day weekend:

1. Las Vegas

2. Seattle

3. Anaheim/Los Angeles

4. Yellowstone National Park/Jackson, Wyoming

5. Bend, Oregon

6. Oregon Coast

7. Reno, Nevada

8. Salt Lake City

9. San Francisco

10. New York

TRAVEL TIPSAAA shared the following pre-travel advice to ensure trips run smoothly:

• Have your battery, engine and tires checked.
• Use the AAA mobile app to find the cheapest fuel (or charging stations) along the way.
• Arrive at the airport at least two hours in advance. Download the airline app for the latest information and pack medications and a change of clothes in your carry-on bag.
• Never drive when drowsy or impaired. Put away distractions — the roads will be busy.
• Get an early start on holiday travel to avoid peak crowds.
• Be prepared for different temperatures throughout the day and at different elevations.

“The most important thing you can pack is your patience,” Conde said. “Aggressive speeds and weaving in and out of traffic can increase the risks of a crash for everyone.”