Despite rising prices from inflation and tariffs, which have left many of us paying more for everything and anxious that higher costs are coming, AAA projects a record 45.1 million Americans will travel during the Memorial Day holiday weekend this year.

Memorial Day travel is projected to beat a 20-year-old record high this year, according to AAA data released last week. Why it matters: Americans' deep pessimism about the economy isn't deterring them from traveling to celebrate the unofficial start of summer.

AAA is expecting 45.1 million people will travel at least 50 miles from home over the five-day Memorial Day holiday beginning Thursday. That figure is an increase of 1.4 million travelers over last year and breaks the previous travel record of 44 million in 2005.