More people traveling during Memorial Day weekend

Number of travelers hits 10-year high

AAA predicts more people will travel this Memorial Day weekend than any other since the recession.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Travel is expected to hit a 10-year high during the 2015 Memorial Day weekend.

Although gas prices have been increasing, the average national price of a gallon of gas right now is down more than a dollar from last year. AAA predicts that will lead to some congested roadways.

Recommended Videos



Many parents look for ways to keep their children entertained without breaking the bank.

"Memorial Day is more congested. A lot of people traveling at that time, so I try to do things at home with my kids," said Paulinda Vann, a mother of three.

"Having a Bar-b-q, going to the beach...just trying to do something intimate and close to home instead of traveling," she said.

Titus Pittman with Genesis Financial Partners says Vann has the right idea. There's no need to travel far when Northeast Florida has so much to offer.

"We have great beaches from Fernandina, all the way to Daytona. Also, that weekend, we have a huge jazz fest. Something that's fun for the whole family," Pittman said.

 Like Vann, many will stay close to home for the holiday but plenty will also hit the road.

AAA Travel projected 37.2 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home during the 3-day weekend. That is up 5.3% from the 35.5 million people who traveled in 2014.  And this year is expected to be the highest travel volume for the holiday in 10 years.

If you are wanting to make a getaway, Pittman suggests the parks in Orlando. saying it's quick and easy.

"Take advantage of being a Florida resident.  SeaWorld and Aquatica, they're running a special.   It's called Easy Pay System.  Go to those parks unlimited for one year without paying a huge up-front cost," Pittman suggests.

Vann said her family will be just fine sticking around Jacksonville.

"Chalk for my 10-year-old.  He can write on the sidewalk, water balloons, all kinds of inexpensive things and a lot of these things can be found at the Dollar Tree," Vann said.