{"id":64680,"date":"2026-05-15T17:59:56","date_gmt":"2026-05-15T17:59:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/newsroom\/?p=64680"},"modified":"2026-05-19T16:35:10","modified_gmt":"2026-05-19T16:35:10","slug":"expedias-memorial-day-travel-outlook-reveals-americans-are-chasing-sunshine-secondary-cities-and-savvy-savings-for-memorial-day-weekend","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/newsroom\/expedias-memorial-day-travel-outlook-reveals-americans-are-chasing-sunshine-secondary-cities-and-savvy-savings-for-memorial-day-weekend\/","title":{"rendered":"Expedia\u2019s Memorial Day Travel Outlook Reveals Americans Are Chasing Sunshine, Secondary Cities and Savvy Savings for Memorial Day Weekend"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Expedia\u2019s Memorial Day Travel Outlook shows Americans are still eager to get away for Memorial Day weekend, even as higher travel costs remain top of mind. In fact, AAA projects a record 45 million Americans <\/strong>will travel at least 50 miles from home between May 21 and May 25, with 3.66 million travelers taking domestic flights <\/strong>over Memorial Day weekend1<\/sup> – marking the busiest Memorial Day travel period on record.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Against that backdrop, Expedia data shows people are prioritizing warm<\/strong>\u2011weather escapes<\/strong>, emerging destinations<\/strong> and smarter booking strategies<\/strong> to make their long\u2011weekend getaways more affordable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Expedia search data for travel between May 22\u201326, 2026, three key trends are shaping Memorial Day weekend travel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chasing Sunshine, Especially in Value-Friendly Spots2<\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Classic beach destinations remain popular this Memorial Day, with travelers searching heavily for places like Cancun, Punta Cana, Miami and Myrtle Beach. At the same time, interest is surging for beach destinations such as Orange Beach, Alabama (+65%), Delray Beach, Florida (+60%), and North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina (+45%).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u201cIt\u2019s worth noting that each of these surging beach destinations \u2013 Orange Beach, Delray Beach, and North Myrtle Beach – is within easy driving distance of major population centers across the Southeast, making them especially attractive to travelers looking to manage costs like airfare and rising gas prices,\u201d said Melanie Fish, Expedia Group Travel Expert & Spokesperson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Internationally, Paris, Tokyo and Rome are still among the most popular destinations, but travelers are also eyeing sun-soaked destinations that are closer to home, with year-over-year search demand rising for Exuma, Bahamas (+60%), Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (+60%), and Saint Martin (+55%) \u2014 locations that can sometimes offer more competitive pricing compared to more saturated resort destinations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Secondary Destinations and Lifestyle Hubs Are Gaining Momentum<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Rather than defaulting only to major tourist hubs, many travelers are gravitating toward destinations that blend culture, scenery, and a sense of escape. Domestic searches are rising for places like Palo Alto, CA (+60%) and Napa, CA (+45%), along with coastal favorites such as Newport Beach, CA (+45%) and Laguna Beach, CA (+30%). Urban hubs like Atlanta, GA (+40%) and San Francisco, CA (+35%) are also seeing heightened interest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Savvy Savings and Travelers Are Waiting Longer to book<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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      With prices top of mind, many travelers are booking closer to departure and  searching for last-minute ways to save. The good news: deals are still out there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Tips for Saving on a Last-Minute Memorial Day Getaway:<\/p>\n\n\n\n