Do you feel conflicted about Memorial Day travel?

On the one hand: Summer is here, and you want more than anything to enjoy a gorgeous sunny weekend on the water. Maybe you should hit the road!

On the other hand: The roads will be packed. Flights will be expensive. And what if it rains? Maybe you should just stay home.

We’re here to tell you that you can plan a fun—and not frustrating—Memorial Day getaway.

Step 1. Choose a less-traveled Memorial Day destination.

Everyone goes to the beach, the lake, national parks, state parks, and theme parks. If crowds sour your vacation experience, then go somewhere they’re not.

Big cities: People usually flee New York City for Memorial Day, making it the perfect time to visit. You can tour big naval ships during Fleet Week, watch the Brooklyn Memorial Day Parade, sun yourself on Rockaway Beach, or just enjoy the laid-back vibes.

Small cities: Is there a smaller city or town that’s always been on your wish list? Time to go check it out! Ideas include:

• Bar Harbor, Maine for hiking and lobster rolls
• Monterey, Calif. for coastal scenery and sea lions
• Jackson Hole, Wyo. for chuckwagon dinners and horseback riding
• Annapolis, Md. for sailboats and seafood
• Marfa, Tex. for outsider art and mysterious lights
• New Glarus, Wisc. for Swiss food and fun
• Oxford, Miss. for charming shops and literary history

Ski resorts and ski towns: Everyone else may be putting on shorts and sunglasses, but some U.S. ski resorts stay open through Memorial Day if weather permits. One example is Palisades Tahoe in California, which calls itself the Spring Skiing Capital of the World. In 2024, Palisades saw 8 feet of snow in February and more in March, making the slopes skiable well into spring.¹ Even if you’re not into snow sports, ski towns can be delightful Memorial Day travel destinations. The weather is mild, the prices are low, and you can catch fun events, like the Vail Comedy Festival.

Canadian destinations: When everyone else heads south, why not go north? The Memorial Day holiday isn’t observed in Canada, so you can enjoy a little getaway without crowds or price hikes. On the west coast, Vancouver Island is a wild wonder where you can see orcas and bears. May is shoulder season in Banff National Park, so it’s a great time to visit the jewel of the Canadian Rockies. Or plan a weekend in

Québec City, which is one of the oldest cities in North America. 

Get ideas for last-minute Memorial Day getaways.

Step 2. Extend your weekend by taking off an extra day (or two).

Around 88% of Memorial Day vacationers travel by car, according to AAA.² That means 37 million people all on the road at the same time. So you just know that driving anywhere on Thursday is going to be awful, especially in the afternoon and early evening. Same for Monday afternoon and evening.

Do everything you can to avoid the coast-to-coast jams. Our best tip: Take another day off work so you can leave Wednesday or even Tuesday evening. If you begin your vacation early, you can even drive home Sunday, avoiding traffic and giving yourself an extra day to relax.

If that’s not going to work, plan to depart early Thursday, Thursday night, or even Friday morning.

Step 3. Consider not driving.

One of the most affordable options is taking the bus. “Bus ticket prices vary by route and carrier, but the average price of a bus ticket on popular routes tends to be between $20 and $50,” according to price comparison site Wanderu.³ Fares may go up for Memorial Day, and you still have to contend with traffic—but at least you aren’t driving.

Another option for Memorial Day travel: an upscale bus. Smarter Travel defines these as bus lines with extra legroom, an onboard bathroom, Wi-Fi and/or streaming services, snack and drink services, and free baggage checking.⁴ Fares may be twice a typical bus fare, but the experience is cushier than a coach-class train or plane ride.

The train is another option. For some popular travel routes in the U.S., the train may actually be faster and cheaper (plus more pleasant) than flying. Read more: Train Vs. Plane: 5 U.S. Routes Where the Train Beats the Plane

Or, search online for Memorial Day flight deals. If you’re planning a ton of travel this summer, you may even want to splurge on a summer-long Go Wild pass from Frontier Airlines, which lets you book last-minute flights for a penny. (Just check the blackout dates for Memorial Day and other holidays.)

Step 4. Buy annual travel insurance.

Why annual? If you’re planning to take more trips this summer (and fall, and winter), then an AllTrips travel insurance plan may be a smart travel investment. True to their name, AllTrips plans can protect every trip you take in 365 days. Domestic trips, international trips, long vacations, short getaways, business travel, family travel… it doesn’t matter. Buy an annual travel insurance plan today and get ready to explore!

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