Memorial Day is a time to remember and honor the Americans who lost their lives while serving their country. Many people observe the holiday by attending parades, visiting cemeteries, or placing flags and flowers on the graves of fallen service members.
Outside of its somber origins, Memorial Day weekend has become a big shopping holiday, with consumers getting up to 90 percent off on their purchases. In addition, 65 percent of Americans plan to barbeque over Memorial Day weekend, while 18 percent will take a trip. Memorial Day’s place on the calendar has made it the unofficial start of summer for many.
For more information on this well-known holiday, WalletHub, a personal finance website, looked at Memorial Day in-depth to find some of the most interesting facts and statistics:
Memorial Day remembrance
- 48 million – Veterans have served the country in wartime.
- 13.8 million – Projected number of living wartime veterans in 2026.
- 656,000 – Members of the military services have lost their lives in conflict.
- 260,000 – Graves at Arlington National Cemetery are adorned with American flags each Memorial Day.
- 3 p.m. – The National Moment of Remembrance, as designated by Congress in 2000.
- 1st – State to officially recognize Memorial Day was New York in 1873.
- 25 – Cities have laid claim to being the birthplace of Memorial Day.
Memorial Day festivities
- 65 percent – Of Americans plan to barbecue over Memorial Day weekend.
- $32.90 – The average cost of a Memorial cookout in 2026; a 5 percent increase over the last year.
- 818 – Hot dogs consumed every second from Memorial Day to Labor Day; 7 billion total.
- Top periods for beer sales – 1st, Fourth of July; 2nd, Memorial Day; 3rd, Labor Day.
- $2.1 billion – Sales of meat for Memorial Day.
- 106 – Running races held for Memorial Day.
- 100 million – Households worldwide to watch the National Memorial Day parade broadcast on TV.
- 22 – Marching bands to perform in the parade.
- 1,000-plus – Active duty service members participate in the parade each year.
Memorial Day weekend travel
- 45 million – Americans travel over Memorial Day weekend; 0.4 percent increase over 2025 and breaking the 2005 record of 44 million travelers.
- 3.91 million – Of Memorial Day weekend travelers will drive to their destination; 0.1 percent increase from 2025.
- 3.7 million – People to travel by plane over Memorial Day weekend; up 0.3 percent over 2025.
- 95 percent – Of companies will close their offices on Memorial Day.
- $4.50 per gallon in 2026 – Up 44 percent from 2025: $3.10 gallon.
- 77 percent – Of Americans to plan a summer trip this year.
- No. 1 – Orlando, Fla., is the most popular domestic destination for Memorial Day weekend travel.
- 39 percent – Of major roads in the United States are in poor or mediocre condition.
Memorial Day sales
- 74 percent – Of Americans plan to shop in stores on Memorial Day.
- 61 percent – Of Americans plan to spend less than $100 over Memorial Day weekend this year.
- 15 percent to 90 percent off – The discount shoppers can expect on home goods and clothing.
- 19 – Special discounts are available to veterans and military personnel.
Memorial Day safety
- 14 days – Duration of nationwide seatbelt campaign May 18 through May 31.
- 25 percent – More home-cooking fires happen on Memorial Day than average.
- $189 million – Estimated value of items lost over memorial Day weekend.
- 159 – Lives could be saved over Memorial Day weekend if people wear seat belts.
- 50,600 – Estimated number of injuries from car accidents each Memorial Day weekend.
- 443 – Average number of fatalities from Memorial Day weekend traffic accidents each year.
- 39 percent – Of all traffic fatalities that occur over Memorial Day weekend are alcohol related.
Whether you’re visiting a cemetery, watching a parade, or going to a barbecue, best wishes on Memorial Day.
