As Memorial Day approaches, Florida anticipates an unprecedented surge in travel. The AAA auto club forecasts that approximately 2.5 million Floridians will journey over 50 miles during the holiday period.
This represents a 5 percent increase in car travel and a 9 per cent rise in air travel compared to 2023.
Florida’s top destinations and national trends
Florida’s allure as a holiday destination is highlighted by cities like Orlando, Miami, and Fort Lauderdale topping the list of U.S. travel spots for the upcoming May 27 holiday.
This upward trend in travel is mirrored nationally, with an estimated 43.8 million people expected to travel during the holiday, marking a 5 per cent increase from the previous year.
Free entry to state parks
Governor Ron DeSantis has added an incentive to visit Florida by waiving entry fees to all state parks from May 25 to May 28.
This initiative is likely to further boost travel figures during the Memorial Day weekend.
Gas prices and economic factors
The current average price for regular unleaded gas in Florida is $3.48 per gallon, showing a decrease from previous weeks.
Experts from GasBuddy suggest that gas prices, although slightly higher than last year, are likely to decline as we approach the holiday weekend.
This is due to refineries completing maintenance and increasing output, which should help extend the downward trend in gas prices into June and beyond.
