Most car dealerships close on Memorial Day, but hours vary by location and dealership chain
Memorial Day falls on the last Monday of May each year. Many dealerships treat it as a federal holiday and close entirely, though some stay open with reduced hours or modified schedules. There is no single rule across the industry — what matters is checking with the specific dealership where you plan to shop, because a dealership thirty miles away might operate while yours does not.
If you are planning to visit a dealership on Memorial Day weekend, calling ahead is the only reliable way to know whether they will be open. Most dealerships post their holiday hours on their website or Google Business listing at least a week in advance. If you cannot find the information online, a phone call to the sales department takes two minutes and saves a wasted trip.
Key Takeaways
- Most dealerships close on Memorial Day itself, but some remain open with shorter hours or skeleton staffing.
- Dealership chains and independent lots set their own holiday schedules, so you must check the specific location you plan to visit.
- Google Business listings, dealership websites, and a direct phone call are the fastest ways to confirm hours before you go.
- If a dealership is closed on Monday, you can often visit on Saturday or Sunday of Memorial Day weekend, when many dealerships operate normal weekend hours.
- Test drives and financing decisions may move slower on holiday weekends because some staff may be off, even if the lot is technically open.
Why dealerships close or reduce hours on Memorial Day
Memorial Day is a federal holiday, which means banks, government offices, and many businesses close to observe it. Dealerships are not required by law to close, but many do because their finance departments rely on bank services that shut down on federal holidays. If a dealership cannot process loans or verify credit through their lender, they often choose not to open at all rather than turn away customers who want to finance a purchase.
Dealership staffing also affects holiday schedules. Sales staff, service technicians, and finance managers often have the day off on federal holidays. A dealership might stay open with a skeleton crew to handle walk-in traffic, but you may wait longer for a salesperson or find that financing options are limited. Some dealerships close entirely rather than operate with minimal staff, because the cost of paying holiday wages does not justify the reduced traffic they expect.
How to learn about your local dealership is open
Start with Google Maps or Google Search. Type the dealership name and "hours" into Google, and the business listing usually shows holiday hours if the dealership has updated them. This information appears at the top of the search result and often includes a note like "Closed on Memorial Day" or "Open 10am–4pm." If the listing does not mention the holiday, the hours shown are likely regular hours, and you should call to confirm.
The dealership's website is the second place to check. Most dealerships post a banner or notice on their homepage during holiday weeks. Look for a link labeled "Hours" or "Contact Us" — many sites display holiday schedules there. If you cannot find it on the website, call the main number and ask for the sales department. A staff member can tell you in seconds whether the dealership will be open on Memorial Day and what time they open and close.
Facebook and other social media pages sometimes announce holiday closures, though this is less reliable than a direct call. If you are already messaging the dealership about a specific vehicle or trade-in, you can ask about Memorial Day hours in the same message.
What to do if your dealership is closed on Memorial Day
If the dealership is closed on Monday, check whether they are open on Saturday or Sunday of that weekend. Most dealerships operate on Saturday and many open on Sunday, even when they close on the holiday itself. You can often accomplish the same tasks — viewing inventory, taking a test drive, discussing financing — on the weekend before or after Memorial Day.
If you need to reach the dealership while they are closed, send an email or use their online contact form. Many dealerships monitor email during closures and will respond the next business day. If you have a specific vehicle in mind, you can also ask them to hold it for you by phone or email before the holiday, so it will still be available when they reopen.
For urgent matters like a service appointment or a question about a vehicle you already own, check whether the service department has different hours than sales. Some dealerships close the sales floor on holidays but keep the service bay open for emergency repairs.
Dealership hours during the full Memorial Day weekend
The weekend leading up to Memorial Day (Saturday and Sunday) usually sees normal or extended dealership hours. Many dealerships open early on Saturday — sometimes as early as 8 or 9 a.m. — and stay open into the evening to capture weekend shoppers. Sunday hours vary more widely; some dealerships open at 11 a.m. or noon, while others close entirely on Sunday.
If you are flexible about when you shop, the Saturday before Memorial Day is often the busiest day at dealerships because people know Monday will be closed. You may face longer wait times for a salesperson, but inventory is usually fully staffed and financing is fully operational. If you prefer a less crowded experience, visiting on Sunday afternoon or Tuesday morning may give you more one-on-one attention from sales staff.
Planning a purchase around Memorial Day
If you are in the middle of financing or negotiating a deal, the holiday can create delays. Loan approvals, credit checks, and title transfers all depend on banks and government offices that close on federal holidays. If you submit paperwork on Friday before Memorial Day, do not expect a response until Wednesday at the earliest.
If you are close to finalizing a purchase, try to complete the paperwork before Friday so the bank has time to process it. If that is not possible, let the dealership know you understand there will be a delay and ask them to give you a realistic timeline for when you can pick up the vehicle. Some dealerships can prepare the car and have it ready for pickup on Tuesday, even if final financing clears after the holiday.
Regional and chain-specific patterns
Large dealership chains like CarMax, Carvana, and major franchises (Ford, Toyota, Honda) often post consistent holiday policies across their locations, though individual dealerships may vary. CarMax, for example, typically closes on major federal holidays, but you can check their website for your specific location. Independent dealerships and smaller chains set their own schedules with no chain-wide rule.
Some regions have stronger traditions of closing on Memorial Day than others. Dealerships in areas with large military populations sometimes close to honor the holiday, while dealerships in other regions may stay open because local custom favors weekend shopping. Again, the only way to know is to check your specific dealership.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy a car on Memorial Day if the dealership is open?
Yes, but the process may be slower. Financing and title work depend on banks and government offices that are closed on the holiday. You can sign paperwork and take the vehicle home, but final loan approval and registration may not clear until after the holiday. Ask the dealership what they can complete on the day itself and what will wait until Tuesday.
Will I get a better deal on Memorial Day weekend?
Not necessarily. Dealerships do not typically offer special holiday discounts on Memorial Day the way they do on other holidays like Fourth of July or Labor Day. Prices and incentives are usually the same as any other weekend. The main advantage of shopping on Memorial Day weekend is that some dealerships may have fewer customers, giving you more time with a salesperson.
What if I need to trade in my car but the dealership is closed?
You can bring your trade-in vehicle on Saturday or Sunday of the weekend, or wait until Tuesday. The dealership will appraise it and hold the offer for a few days, though the exact terms depend on their policy. Call ahead to ask how long they will honor a trade-in appraisal if you do not complete the purchase when ready.
Do dealership service departments have different hours than sales on Memorial Day?
Sometimes. Service departments occasionally stay open or operate on a different schedule than the sales floor. If you need a repair or maintenance appointment, call the service department directly rather than assuming it follows the same holiday schedule as sales.
Can I schedule a test drive online if the dealership is closed on Memorial Day?
Most dealership websites allow you to request a test drive even when they are closed. Submit the request and include a note that you understand they are closed on Monday and can visit on Saturday, Sunday, or Tuesday. They will confirm availability when they reopen.