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Expect heavy travel, higher prices Memorial Day weekend |
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May 21, 2017 |
AAA projects that 39.3 million Americans will
travel 50 miles or more from home this Memorial
Day weekend, a 2.7% increase from 2016. That is
one million more travelers than last year taking
to the roads, skies, rails and water, creating
the highest Memorial Day travel volume since
2005.
While the vast majority of travelers are
planning a Memorial Day road trip, many other
Americans will take advantage of the long
holiday weekend and travel long distance and
internationally, with Europe especially popular
this year.
The top destinations for Memorial Day weekend
this year, based on AAA travel bookings, are:
Orlando, Florida, Rome, Italy, London, England,
Dublin, Ireland, Vancouver, Canada, Seattle,
Washington, Las Vegas, Nevada, New York, New
York, Paris, France and Honolulu, Hawaii.
The Memorial Day holiday travel period is
defined as Thursday, May 25, to Monday, May 29.
“The expected spike in Memorial Day travel
mirrors the positive growth seen throughout the
travel industry this year,” said Jennifer Cook,
AAA Washington spokesperson. “Higher confidence
has led to more consumer spending, and many
Americans are choosing to allocate their extra
money on travel this Memorial Day.”
By the Numbers: Memorial Day Travel Forecast:
* 2017 will mark the third consecutive year of growth in Memorial Day
travel with 2.7 percent more travelers than last
year.
* 34.6 million Americans (88.1 percent of travelers) will drive to their
destinations, an increase of 2.4 percent over
last year.
* 2.9 million Americans are taking to the skies this Memorial Day,
increasing air travel by 5.5 percent over last
year.
* 1.75 million travelers, an increase 2.9 percent from 2016, will look to
other modes of transportation, including
cruises, trains and buses.
*
Gas prices, airfares, car rental rates and
mid-range hotels are all trending higher than
last Memorial Day.
*
Travelers still hitting the road despite higher
gas prices.
While AAA expects most U.S. drivers will pay the
highest Memorial Day gas prices since 2015, the
vast majority of holiday travelers (88.1
percent) are still planning to hit the road.
Automobile travel will grow by 2.4 percent this
Memorial Day, with 34.6 million Americans
planning a holiday road trip.
The national average price for a gallon of gas
today is $2.34, 10 cents more than last year.
Today, the average price of gas is $2.88 in
Washington, 30 cents more than last year, and
$2.55 in Idaho, a 12 cent increase.
More Americans are planning to rent cars for
their holiday road trips this year. AAA’s car
rental bookings are 19 percent higher than last
Memorial Day. According to Hertz, the busiest
day for car rental pick-ups is expected to be
Friday, May 26, based on last year’s data.
While road trips continue to reign supreme for
Memorial Day, more Americans will fly, ride the
train or bus, or take a cruise vacation compared
to last year. Air travel is expected to increase
5.5 percent over last year, with 2.9 million
Americans taking to the skies this Memorial Day.
Travel by other modes of transportation,
including cruises, trains and buses, will
increase 2.9 percent, to 1.75 million travelers.
Average airfares for the top 40 domestic flight
routes will be 9 percent higher this Memorial
Day, with an average round-trip ticket landing
at $181. Hotel costs have also increased since
last Memorial Day, with the average AAA Three
Diamond Rated hotel costing $215, or 18 percent
more than last year. Daily car rental rates will
average $66, which is 7 percent more than last
year.
AAA expects to rescue more than 330,000
motorists nationally this Memorial Day weekend,
with the primary reasons being a tow,
battery-related issues and lockouts. In
Washington and northern Idaho alone, AAA expects
to rescue more than 7,000 motorists, for the
same reasons.
AAA recommends motorists have their vehicles
inspected by a trusted repair shop, such as one
of the more than 7,000 AAA Approved Auto Repair
facilities across North America. Members can
download the AAA Mobile app, visit
www.AAA.com or
call 1-800-AAA-HELP to request roadside
assistance.
Before setting out for Memorial Day, download
the free AAA Mobile app for iPhone, iPad and
Android. Travelers can use the app to map a
route, find lowest gas prices, access exclusive
member discounts, make travel arrangements,
request AAA roadside assistance, find AAA
Approved Auto Repair facilities and more. Learn
more at
AAA.com/mobile. |
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