Cities Experiencing The Highest Car Rental Demand This Summer

by Mia Taylor
Last updated: 2:40 PM ET, Tue May 14, 2024

The fact that this Memorial Day weekend 2024 will be a travel frenzy is hardly news.

AAA reported earlier this week that nearly 44 million travelers in the United States are planning to hit the road for the unofficial start of summer - the second-highest number of Memorial Day holiday travelers since AAA began tracking data in 2000.

But some parts of the country will be busier than others, particularly when it comes to car rentals.

New data released by Hertz shows that the cities poised to experience the highest car rental demand, both over Memorial Day and during the summer ahead as well, are Orlando, Denver, Atlanta, Boston, and Las Vegas.

The busiest car rental pick-up days will be May 23 and May 24.

Translation: If you’re headed to one of these cities for vacation and have not booked a car rental yet, it may even be too late.

Family posing for selfie next to car packed for road trip.

Hertz’s just-released data included a variety of other travel-related insights as well, for both Memorial Day and summer 2024.

For instance, more than half of American travelers —52 percent — intend to travel more this summer than last. Respondents said they’re planning an average of three trips this summer.

Another factoid from the Hertz survey, one that goes hand-in-hand with the increased number of summer getaways, more than half of survey participants (54 percent) said they intend to spend more money on travel this summer compared to last year.

And in a sliver of good news for the planet — nearly half of travelers (44 percent) said they are more likely to consider eco-conscious travel options this summer compared to last year.

As for the impending Memorial Day weekend 2024, Americans are venturing further — 58 percent of respondents said they will be traveling at least 50 miles.

Those trips will be nearly entirely domestic this year. A mere 4 percent said they will visit the non-continental United States over Memorial Day. Most people (no surprise here) are headed to the beach (40 percent), while 34 percent are visiting big cities and 30 percent intend to spend the holiday weekend in small towns.

When it comes to American’s top travel priorities, the survey responses reveal 51 percent are seeking relaxation, while 40 percent said they are focused on romance.

Hertz’s survey was conducted April 26 and 27th and included a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults.