AAA Projects a Slight Decrease in Memorial Day Holiday Travel
Record fuel prices and tough economic times alter travel plans for some Americans
Nearly 31.7 million Americans (83 percent of all holiday travelers) are expected to travel by automobile, a one percent decrease from the approximately 32 million people who drove a year ago.
Almost 4.35 million (11 percent of holiday travelers) plan to fly this holiday weekend; a decrease of 0.5 percent from the 4.37 million who took to the skies last year. About 1.8 million intend to travel by train, bus or other mode of transportation.
"Many Americans are feeling a financial pinch this holiday weekend from record high gasoline prices and other factors in the economy," said Tom Chestnut, President/CEO of AAA Western and Central New York. "Despite the small decrease, we will still see a significant number of people traveling this weekend. More than 12 percent of the U.S. population will be celebrating the Memorial Day weekend away from home."
Across much of the country, motorists driving to their Memorial Day holiday destinations will once again encounter record-high gasoline prices. The national average for self-serve regular is $3.77 gallon. That is 39 cents more than one month ago and 67 cents more than this time last year.
Travelers in New York State can expect to pay $3.94 per gallon, and the average price of gasoline in the Buffalo-Niagara Falls area is $3.88 per gallon as of today. The Rochester area average is $3.87 per gallon, and the Syracuse area average is $3.84 per gallon.
According to AAA's Leisure Travel Index, air fares over the Memorial Day holiday weekend are expected to rise eight percent over last year as air passengers will pay an average $179. Car rental rates will increase by 45 percent with consumers paying an average of $45 per day compared to $31 a year ago. Hotel rates for AAA 3 Diamond hotels are expected to be seven percent less than last year with travelers spending an average of $162 per night. Rates at AAA 2 Diamond hotels will increase nine percent from last year with an average of $112 per night.
"Vacation spending depends on personal preferences and means," said Chestnut. "While you can expect higher lodging rates in metropolitan areas and during peak travel seasons, travelers can save by making advance reservations and taking advantage of discounts. AAA helps consumers maximize their vacation dollars by planning ahead."
- If traveling by car, use the AAA TripTik® Travel Planner at AAA.com to plan the best route, one that enables you to travel at constant speeds and bypass congested areas as much as possible.
- Visit www.AAA.com/gas to find the least expensive gas prices no matter where you are driving in the United States.
- Drive a well-maintained vehicle. If you have a choice of vehicles, take the one that gets the best gas mileage. Renting a fuel-efficient model can also say you money in the long run - both at the pump and by reducing wear and tear on your personal vehicle.
- Book a hotel room on AAA.com where you are more likely to find a better rate than on other leading Web sites, according to a recent survey. In a review of several online travel booking sites, AAA.com offered AAA members the best publicly-available rate on partner hotels 69 percent of the time.
- Reduce meal costs by eating the main meal at midday to take advantage of lower lunch prices at restaurants. Many restaurants also offer children's menus and "early bird" dinner specials at reduced prices.
- Take advantage of every available discount. AAA members can "Show Your Card and Save" on hotels, car rentals, attractions, entertainment, and at a variety of retailers.
- Use credit cards, such as the AAA Visa, that offer rebates on gasoline purchases.
- Start trips early in the day while traffic is light.
- Take only what you need to keep the load lighter. A heavier vehicle consumes more fuel. Keep luggage inside the vehicle rather than strapped to the roof where it will create wind resistance.
- Choose a vacation spot where only minimal driving will be needed after you arrive.
Research for Memorial Day weekend holiday travel projections are derived from Travel Industry Association (TIA)'s Holiday Travel Forecast Model, based on consumer travel intentions collected through an online survey of over 2,000 U.S. adults nationwide, supplemented by an additional 6,500 Americans surveyed from the top 10 states of travel origin in the United States.
As Upstate New York's largest motoring and travel organization, AAA provides its 880,000 members with travel, insurance, financial, and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1900, AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. AAA clubs can be visited at www.AAA.com.
Contact:
Shaun Seufert (716) 929-3600
Diana R. Dibble (315) 453-5904
Wally Smith (716) 626-3225
