ORLANDO, Fla. — As Memorial Day Weekend comes to a close, travelers start to head back home, taking to the roads and to the sky.

What You Need To Know

  • According to the Auto Club Group AAA, a record-breaking 2.6 million Floridians traveled at least 50 miles from home over the Memorial Day period

  • Of that total, 2.34 million people chose to travel by car.

  • MCO measures the Memorial Day travel period from Thursday, May 22, until Tuesday, May 27.  During those six days, they estimate nearly a million people go through MCO, with Monday, being the second busiest day after Friday - as people go back home

  • AAA projected more than 70,000 Floridians chose other ways of transportation like buses, cruises or trains

According to the Auto Club Group AAA, a record-breaking 2.6 million Floridians traveled at least 50 miles from home over the Memorial Day period. That’s an increase of nearly 95,000 compared to last year.

Nationwide, AAA predicted more than 45.1 million to travel for Memorial Day weekend. That’s 1.4 million more domestic travelers than last year. It’s also a new Memorial Day weekend record, surpassing the previous record set back in 2005 with 44 million people.

AAA estimated 2.6 million Floridians traveled domestically. Of that total, 2.34 million people chose to travel by car.

“We are traveling to, we are heading to Disney World,” Jennie Painter said. She made a stop with her family on I-4 as she was entering Orlando. They are visiting from Tallahassee. This time they chose to drive and get on the road early.

“It was pretty good it wasn’t that bad, so, not too much traffic,” she said. Her family woke up by 8 a.m. to beat the rush hour when people get on the road.

AAA data shows the best time to travel by car on Monday is before 2 p.m., and the worst time is from 4p.m. to 7p.m.

“We always think leaving early is the way to go, especially when those afternoon storms start rolling in here to just be off the road by then,” Painter said.

Others decided to take to the sky this holiday weekend, like Matt Weeks and his family, who came from Kansas City to visit relatives in Clermont and also visit the parks. 

“We got to spend a few days at Disney, and we stayed at Saratoga Springs Resort and a few days in the parks as well, which it was busy there, but, yeah, it was a fun trip,” Weeks said.

Calling it the “unofficial” start of the summer travel season, this year, MCO saw a slight 2% increase in passenger traffic as compared to last year.

“We could see the travel crowds were busier, but everybody was really friendly. We had great opportunity to get to and from the airport to the resort that we were staying at. And so, it was easier navigation,” Weeks said.

MCO measures the Memorial Day travel period from Thursday, May 22, until Tuesday, May 27. During those six days, they estimate nearly a million people go through MCO, with Monday being the second busiest day after Friday as people go back home.

That’s the case of Lora Myers, a grandmother who came from Indiana to visit her family. “I planned this, so I could have extra days with my grandkids,” she said.

Despite how busy this holiday weekend travel is, Myers said today her check-in process went smooth. “It was excellent. This is probably one of the best trips I’ve had.”

Her advice to all travelers: get to the airport with plenty of time. She arrived at MCO three hours early today. “Get here early so you’re not stressed out,” Myers said.

AAA projected more than 70,000 Floridians chose other ways of transportation like buses, cruises or trains.

Spectrum News 13 reached out to Brightline, and leaders said although they don’t have numbers yet, they had a busy weekend that was driven by the holiday and the opening of Epic Universe.