88 percent of travelers expected to drive to their destinations

ENP STAFF REPORTS
news@eastniagarapost.com

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Approximately 36.1 million motorists will pack the nation’s highways this weekend as they drive at least 50 miles for their Memorial Day festivities, a 1.5 percent increase from the 35.5 million people who traveled last year.  Approximately 88 percent of the travelers will drive to their destinations, according to AAA. The Memorial Day holiday travel period is defined as Thursday, May 22 to Monday, May 26.

“Auto travel continues to be the most popular mode of transportation because it is in most cases the most economical,” according to Jim Lehman, President of AAA East Central. “Memorial Day travelers in this region may still be recovering from the bite that this severe winter may have taken out of their budget,” he added.

More than 4.2 million people from the Mid-Atlantic states (New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania) expect to travel this holiday weekend by automobile, air and other forms of transportation, up .6 percent from last year. Some 3.8 million, or 88 percent, will be traveling by car, up .3 percent from last year. Air travel is expected to rise 2.4 percent in the region with 283,000 expected to fly for the holiday.

Holiday gas prices are expected to be relatively similar or even slightly less than last year’s national Memorial Day average of $3.63 per gallon, though unexpected developments such as refinery problems or international events could result in higher costs. With many plans already made and budgets set, it is unlikely that gas prices will have a significant effect on travel plans compared to a year ago.

Hotel rates are expected to increase just two percent from one year ago with travelers spending an average of $169 per night compared to $166 last year. Weekend daily car rental rates will average $44, only one percent higher than last year. Airfares are up approximately 6 precent from last year.

AAA’s digital tools for travel planning ‘on the go’ include eTourBook guides for tablets and smart phones, available free to members at AAA.com/ebooks, the free AAA Mobile app for iPhone, iPad and Android, which uses GPS navigation to help travelers map a route, find current gas prices and discounts, book a hotel, and access AAA roadside assistance. Travelers can learn more at AAA.com/mobile.

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