WASHINGTON-- The American Automobile Association (AAA) projects a slight decrease in the number of Americans traveling during the Labor Day holiday weekend. Nearly 34.38 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home this Labor Day holiday weekend, down 0.9%, or almost 320,000 Americans, from the 34.7 million who traveled last year. This year marks the first decline in Labor Day holiday travel since 2006.
Approximately 28.64 million Americans (more than 83% of all holiday travelers) expect to travel by automobile, a 1.1% decrease from the 28.97 million people who drove to their [image-nocss] holiday destinations last year.
The national average for self-serve regular gasoline is $3.69 per gallon. Americans traveling by automobile will encounter gasoline prices about 40 cents less than the Fourth of July travel holiday, but still 91 cents more than this time last year.
Almost 3.96 million Americans (11.5% of holiday travelers) intend to travel by airplane, a 4.5% decrease from the 4.14 million people who flew last year.
The greatest number of Labor Day holiday weekend automobile travelers will originate in the West with 7.2 million, followed by the Southeast with 6.6 million; Midwest, 5.5 million; Northeast, 4.8 million; and Great Lakes, 4.5 million.
"More travelers concerned about the economy, gasoline prices and rising airfares are opting to travel by train, bus, motorcycle and cruise ship to their holiday weekend destinations," said AAA president and CEO Robert L. Darbelnet. "This trend points to a desire on the part of the American public to seek alternatives to flying and driving to enjoy the traditional end of summer vacation."
A projected 1.8 million Americans (5% of holiday travelers) plan to travel by train, bus or other mode of transportation. That represents an increase of 12.5% (or 200,000 travelers) more than the 1.6 million who traveled by a mode other than automobile or airplane last year.
AAA's Leisure Travel Index (LTI), which is based on available rates this holiday, said that Labor Day holiday travelers can expect increases in other travel costs when compared to last year. Those traveling by airplane will find air fares over the holiday weekend 15% higher last year.
The LTI shows an average increase in car rental prices of 2%; however, car rental rates vary from location to location, with some cities in AAA's index showing significant increases, while others show significant decreases compared to a year ago. AAA's index for car rentals is based on the average lowest intermediate size car daily rate in 20 U.S. airport locations. The rates do not include sales tax, insurance or other miscellaneous charges.
The West is expected to produce the largest number of air travelers with 1.5 million, followed by the Southeast with 1.3 million; Northeast, 500,000; Great Lakes, 400,000; and Midwest, 300,000.
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