Californians haven’t been this excited about getting away for Memorial Day weekend since 2005, according to AAA’s first travel forecast of the summer.

AAA projects more than 4.8 million Californians will be traveling for the upcoming three-day weekend, a 3.4 percent increase from last year and the most in more than a decade. More than 5 million Californians took a Memorial Day trip in 2005.

“The positive growth we’ve seen throughout the travel industry this year is moving into summer,” said John Moreno, spokesperson for AAA Northern California. “Strong consumer confidence has led to more spending, and more people will be spending money on travel this Memorial Day.”

AAA projects that 39.3 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more away from home this Memorial Day weekend. That is one million more travelers than last year taking to the roads, skies, rails and water, creating the highest Memorial Day travel volume nationwide since 2005.

The Memorial Day holiday travel period is defined as Thursday, May 25, to Monday, May 29.

By the numbers: Memorial Day travel forecast

• California has had continuous growth in Memorial Day travel since 2011.

• About 4 million Californians will drive to their destinations, an increase of almost 3 percent over last year.

• Almost 500,000 California residents will be flying, a 6 percent increase over 2016.

• The top domestic destinations for Memorial Day weekend, based on AAA travel bookings, are Orlando, Seattle, Las Vegas, New York and Honolulu.

Travelers still hitting the road despite higher gas prices

While AAA expects most U.S. drivers will pay the highest Memorial Day gas prices since 2015, the vast majority of holiday travelers (88.1 percent) are still planning to hit the road.

Automobile travel will grow by 2.4 percent this Memorial Day, with 34.6 million Americans planning a holiday road trip. The California statewide average price for a gallon of gas today is $2.98.

More Americans are planning to rent cars for their holiday road trips this year. AAA’s car rental bookings are 19 percent higher than last Memorial Day.

According to Hertz, the busiest day for car rental pick-ups is expected to be Friday, May 26, based on last year’s data.

Large increases in flying and travel by other modes this Memorial Day

While road trips continue to reign supreme for Memorial Day, more Americans will fly, ride the train or bus, or take a cruise vacation compared to last year.

Air travel is expected to increase 5.5 percent over last year, with 2.9 million Americans taking to the skies this Memorial Day. Travel by other modes of transportation, including cruises, trains and buses, will increase 2.9 percent, to 1.75 million travelers.

Airfares, hotel and car rental rates on the rise

According to AAA’s Leisure Travel Index, average airfares for the top 40 domestic flight routes will be 9 percent higher this Memorial Day, with an average round trip ticket landing at $181.

Hotel costs have also increased since last Memorial Day, with the average AAA Three Diamond Rated hotel costing $215, or 18 percent more than last year. Daily car rental rates will average $66, which is 7 percent more than last year.

AAA to rescue more than 330,000 motorists this Memorial Day

AAA expects to rescue more than 330,000 motorists this Memorial Day weekend, with the primary reasons being lockouts, flat tires and battery-related issues.

AAA recommends motorists have their vehicles inspected by a trusted repair shop, such as one of the more than 7,000 AAA Approved Auto Repair facilities across North America. Members can download the AAA Mobile app, visit AAA.com or call 1-800-AAA-HELP to request roadside assistance.