A large number of Americans are planning on traveling for Memorial Day weekend, it's estimated that some 37 million people might be planning on going somewhere. Most of them are going to travel by car, at least 50 miles from their home. It signals a lot of optimism that we are going to have a much more 'normal' summer than we had last year.
Last year the common scene at the airport was like it was a ghost town, with no travelers in site. This weekend though things are looking much different and there are long lines and packed airports once again.
Rental car rates have climbed more than 30% in some places, and they're quickly running out of inventory too.
Rental car rates for some are landing around $900-$1k or more because of the high demand right now. That also has more people looking to peer-to-peer alternatives like the car sharing company Turo.
There is a dire rental car shortage going on from Hawaii to New York, with many places low on supply. Last year car rental companies sold off portions of their fleet and now they don't have enough to meet the demand for travel.
On average rates are around 30% higher but in some places like NY or Florida you might be seeing 50% higher rates or more.
Many hotels along Florida's coast are already booked for the weekend and it's clear that millions of people are comfortable with getting back to normal and traveling again.