Near-Record Numbers To Travel Over Labor Day Holiday, AAA Says
25 August 1999
Near-Record Numbers To Travel Over Labor Day Holiday, AAA SaysORLANDO, Fla., Aug. 25 -- An estimated 34.8 million Americans are expected to travel 100 miles or more from home this Labor Day holiday -- the second highest total ever, according to AAA. That figure represents an increase of nearly 2 percent over a year ago. The record for Labor Day weekend is 34.9 million in 1997. This year's near-record number of travelers comes despite an 18-cent increase in gas prices over the same period last year. The AAA Fuel Gauge Report shows the national average price for regular unleaded gasoline is $1.255 per gallon. Approximately 29.2 million will go by automobile, light truck or recreational vehicle, up 1 percent from last year's 29 million motorists. Holiday travel by air, bus, rail or ship is expected to reach 5.6 million, an increase of nearly 6 percent compared to last Labor Day. Most auto travelers will originate in the West, with 7.7 million, followed by the Southeast with 6.8 million; Midwest, 5.6 million; Great Lakes, 4.6 million; and Northeast, 4.5 million. A majority of travelers -- 23 percent -- plan to visit cities, with another 20 percent going to towns or rural areas and 19 percent visiting oceans or beaches. Other popular destinations include mountains, 14 percent; lakes, 8 percent; state or national parks, 5 percent; theme or amusement parks, 2 percent; and other, 3 percent. Another 6 percent had not yet determined their destination. Of those spending at least one night at their destination, 47 percent plan to stay at a hotel or motel while 25 percent will be staying with a friend or relative. Other overnight plans include: camper/trailer/RV/tent, 8 percent; cabin or condo, 8 percent; bed and breakfast inn, 1 percent; boat/ship, 1 percent; and other, 2 percent. Another 8 percent had not made overnight plans. AAA's Labor Day travel projections are based on a national travel survey of 1,500 adults by the Travel Industry Association, which conducts special research for AAA. AAA is a not-for-profit federation of 90 clubs with 1,100 offices providing 42 million members in the United States and Canada with travel, insurance, financial and auto-related services. Projected Number of Labor Day, 1999 Travelers By Automobile/Truck/RV By Census Region of Residence Population Percent Number (Millions) Traveling of Auto by Auto Travelers (Millions) Total United States 273.0 11% 29.2 Northeast 51.9 9% 4.5 Southeast 66.2 10% 6.8 Great Lakes 44.4 10% 4.6 Midwest 49.3 11% 5.6 West 61.2 13% 7.7 *NORTHEAST: New England: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont; Middle Atlantic: New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania; SOUTHEAST: South Atlantic: Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia; East South Central: Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, Tennessee; GREAT LAKES: East North Central: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin; MIDWEST: West North Central: Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota; West South Central: Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas; WEST: Mountain: Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Wyoming, Utah; Pacific: Washington, Oregon, California. AAA news releases can be downloaded from http://www.aaa.com/news