As nearly 39.4 million Americans prepare to hit the road for Memorial Day weekend, AAA is urging drivers to check their vehicles before traveling—or risk becoming one of the thousands stranded during one of the year’s busiest travel weekends.

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

Americans are expected to get away in record numbers over the long Memorial Day weekend even as economic and technical worries rattle the U.S. Auto club AAA predicts over 45 million people will travel at least 50 miles home between Thursday and Monday.