With one final extended summer weekend getaway on the horizon, AAA projects 34.1 million Americans – a 4.2% increase over last year – expect to travel 50 miles or more from home this holiday.
Improved economic conditions, a more positive outlook toward travel; and more liberal consumer spending are prompting folks to celebrate the last days of summer with a trip between August 29 and September 2, according to AAA’s national annual Labor Day holiday travel survey.
Here’s a breakdown of how the expected 34.1 million travelers will journey:
- The auto is still the most dominant form of transportation when it comes to vacations with 85% or 29.1 million – a 4.3% increase – traveling by car;
- 8% or 2.61 million folks – a 3% increase over last year — will fly; and
- The remaining 7% will take some other mode of transportation, including rail, bus and watercraft.
The survey also learned:
- The largest share of travelers (46%) will depart on August 30
- Monday, September 2 will be the most popular date to return home (43%).
- The average length of a round trip will be 594 miles, 32 miles less than last year and
- Families will spend on average $804 – about $55 higher than last year with 24% of their budget going toward transportation and lodging; and 21% on food and beverages.
Although national average gas prices are still considered ‘high’ by travelers, it doesn’t appear they’ll affect Labor Day Travel. As of mid-August, prices average prices were down nearly 3% a gallon compared to this time last year.
The national average price of gas on Labor Day 2012 was $3.83 per gallon, the most expensive average ever on record for the holiday. In Connecticut, the average price was around the $4.02 mark.
On Wednesday, Aug. 28, the national average price is $3.55, 20 cents lower than last year while in Connecticut prices average $3.94, 7 cents lower than last year.
Here’s a regional breakdown of prices as of August 28:
New Jersey $3.46
New Hampshire $3.62
Massachusetts $3.67
Maine $3.69
Rhode Island $ 3.72
Vermont $ 3.72
New York $ 3.84
Connecticut $3.94
National Average $ 3.55