 |
| I don’t know what this place is, but I want to travel there. |
Leaving town after you get off work tonight? You’re not alone. The AAA Auto Club says 34.8 million Americans will journey 50 miles or more from home during the Memorial Day travel weekend, a 0.9 percent decrease from the 35.1 million people who traveled a year ago.
During the travel period defined as Thursday, May 23, through Monday, May 27, AAA says nearly nine of 10 holiday travelers, or 31.2 million, people will drive to their destinations. That represents a small increase from the 31.1 million who drove a year ago.
Air travel will account for 7 percent, or slightly more than 2.3 million of all holiday travelers. That’s about an 8 percent decline from a year ago when 2.5 million flew. Other modes of travel—buses, trains, watercraft and multi-modal—will account for the remaining 4 percent—or 1.3 million travelers.
Gasoline prices are expected to have less influence on the majority of travelers this holiday, based on a nationwide survey. Sixty-two percent of intended travelers surveyed said gas prices would have no impact on their travel plans for Memorial Day. That compares to 53 percent a year ago.
Of the remaining 38 percent of travelers who said gas prices would impact their travel plans, 27 percent plan to economize in other areas. Eight percent are planning to take a shorter trip and 3 percent will travel by alternate mode of transportation.