High gas prices aren’t keeping Americans at home over the Memorial Day holiday. AAA projects 34.8 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home over the holiday weekend. That’s up 1.2 percent from one year ago.
A survey of travelers found that about 30.7 million people plan to drive to their destination, with 53 percent saying pump prices would not impact their travel plans.
Of the remaining 47 percent who say gas prices will have an impact on their weekend travels, nine percent said they were planning a shorter trip, while about a third said they would economize in other areas, such as staying at a lower priced hotel or staying with relatives.
While millions will be heading out for the holiday weekend, Robert Sinclair Jr. with AAA New York said the average trip distance is down significantly this year.
“The average trip is going to be 642 miles this weekend compared to 792 miles last year,” Sinclair Jr. said.
He said travelers will also be spending more this year on the weekend getaway.
“We’ll be spending slightly more for this holiday trip at $702 compared to $692 last year,” he said.
AAA’s survey finds that more than seven percent of holiday travelers, or more than 2.5 million people, will fly during the holiday weekend. That’s down 5.5 percent from last year.
{CBS, AP/Matzav.com Newscenter}
