SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Nearly 44 million people are expected to travel at least 50 miles for the long Memorial Day weekend.

It’s the second highest number of travelers for the holiday.

Overall, nearly 154,000 South Dakotans are expected to travel for the holiday.

The summer travel season is taking off.

It’s wheels up for Colleen Lohse and her family who are flying to Texas.

“The kids just got finished with school for the summer and my husband’s on vacation, so it just kind of lined up that we could get out and see some family,” Lohse said.

Sandy Ellyson is also headed for the southern heat.

“We’re going to go to Texas, and we have friend whose daughter is graduating from high school, so we’re just going to spend a few days there,” Ellyson said.

AAA says more than 6,400 South Dakotans will fly during the holiday travel period.

That’s up nearly 4 percent over last year.

But hitting the road will be far more popular.

About 132,000 South Dakotans will drive, also an increase of nearly 4 percent.

Nationwide, Memorial Day travel will also be up over last year.

“I think people are just catching up for lost time in many cases. You weren’t able to take a trip for those couple of years that we were under the pandemic. I think a lot of people are still kind of coming out of that and really just looking to make up for lost time,” AAA South Dakota spokesperson Shawn Steward said.

Back at the Sioux Falls regional airport, Lohse and her family are on their way to some fun.

“See some family and swim and enjoy the hot weather that they’re having right now,” Lohse said.

Thursday and Friday evenings are expected to be some of the busiest times on the road.

Monday will also be busy as people return home.