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Florida is getting ready for a historic Memorial Day weekend: the American Automobile Association (AAA) projects that nearly 2.7 million Floridians will travel at least 50 miles from their homes between Thursday and the holiday Monday, setting a new state record for this holiday.
The mobilization period spans five days, from Thursday to Monday, May 25th. In recent hours, the airports and highways in South Florida have started to feel the impact of the increase in travelers.
"Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer and, for most Americans, it's a three-day long weekend," said Stacey Barber, vice president of AAA Travel.
"The demand for travel remains high, and despite the rise in fuel prices, many people prioritize leisure trips during the holidays," he added.
Nationally, it is estimated that 45 million Americans will travel during Memorial Day 2026, setting a historic record for this holiday. Of that total, 39.1 million will travel by car and 3.66 million by plane.
In Florida, the vast majority of travelers will choose to drive: over 2.3 million will travel by road, while about 23,000 will fly and around 75,000 will use other means such as bus, train, or cruise.
Miami International Airport expects to welcome over 900,000 passengers by Tuesday, May 27, which averages approximately 156,000 travelers per day, a figure similar to last year's record.
Despite the rise in fuel prices - which reached $4.34 per gallon in Florida during the first week of May - travelers have not changed their plans.
"People want to travel, and traveling doesn't mean you have to spend a lot of money. But the price of gasoline definitely affects them," explained Aixa Díaz, spokesperson for AAA, to Telemundo 51.
Regarding airfare, the average price of domestic round-trip flights was $800, which is 6% lower than the previous year, contributing to sustained high demand.
Zero tolerance on the roads
The increase in travelers is accompanied by enhanced road surveillance. Law enforcement agencies in south Florida announced a zero-tolerance campaign against illegal racing and reckless driving over the long weekend.
Bill Schultz, chief of the Fort Lauderdale Police, reported that they will deploy traffic units, aerial resources, real-time traffic monitoring, and directed patrols in historically problematic areas.
Authorities will monitor cars, motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, and electric bicycles operated recklessly.
"I expect to be stopped, arrested, and imprisoned or prosecuted," warned Schultz.
Since January 2022, the Fort Lauderdale police have made 118 arrests related to illegal racing, resulting in 343 misdemeanor charges and 149 felony charges. At the state level, the Florida Highway Patrol reported 13,835 citations for reckless driving between 2020 and 2026.
When to avoid the roads
For those still planning their departure, the AAA and INRIX identify this Friday between 3:00 PM and 6:00 PM as the worst time to be on the road.
For the return on Monday, the peak congestion period will be between 12:00 PM and 5:00 PM. The recommendation is to leave before 11:00 AM to avoid the heaviest traffic.
Orlando is also among the five U.S. markets with the highest travel demand for this Memorial Day, alongside Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Denver, and Boston, which suggests additional pressure on the state's roads throughout the weekend.
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