Despite the rising costs of gasoline and airfare, millions of Americans are planning to hit the road this holiday weekend.
Friday is getaway day for the Memorial Day weekend and the unofficial start of summer.
A survey from AAA shows nearly 35 million Americans will travel this weekend, even though prices are up for hotels, airfare, rental cars and gas.
Robert Sinclair Jr. with AAA New York, says the survey shows people think they can travel farther for less.
“People are going to be traveling a greater distance but spending less money and it’s hard to imagine how that’s going to happen,” said Sinclair. “It could be that they’re going to be eating at cheaper restaurants perhaps and staying at cheaper hotels.”
According to AAA’s numbers, the staycation isn’t in the cards this year.
“For Americans, a trip is pretty much sacrosanct. We had a hard winter and perhaps we’re seeing a built up and people just want to take a trip,” said Sinclair.
Meanwhile, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey says it expects to see nearly 5 million travelers this holiday weekend.
Officials say about 3.4 million drivers will be using bridges and tunnels during the four-day weekend and about 1.4 million passengers will pass through the area’s airports.
According to one new survey from Tripadvisor.com, at least 34 percent of New York City-area residents will be traveling someplace this weekend.
State police in New York and Connecticut will also be cracking down on drunk drivers and seat belt law violators this holiday weekend.
{AP/CBS/Matzav.com Newscenter}
