Going away fro Labor Day 2013? There's a good chance you are. Travel club AAA is predicting that 34.1 million Americans will travel over the holiday weekend, which is the highest number since the recession.
Travel is set to increase this holiday weekend. According to AAA, the number of Americans traveling at least 50 miles from home over Labor Day weekend is a 4.2% increase over the 32.7 million who traveled during the same time last year. It's also the highest number since 2009, when only 31.3 million Americans traveled during the recession, USA Today reports.
AAA says that this 2013 increase is a reflection of a more secure economy, especially when it comes to real estate.
"For many Americans, their home is also their biggest asset,'' AAA president and CEO Robert Darbelnet said according to USA Today. "As home prices improve in many parts of the country, more families are feeling comfortable about traveling this Labor Day holiday."
A majority of traveling Americans will take the road as 85 percent are expected to drive during the weekend, which is a 4.3 percent increase from the 28 million that drove last year. This may be due to slightly lower gas prices. Last year, a gallon of gas cost an average of $3.83 for Labor Day, which was the highest price on record for the holiday weekend. Gas is about 18 cents cheaper on average now at $3.54 a gallon.
Despite gas being cheaper, some fear that gas prices could increase if there is a big storm. Additionally, half of Americans think that even paying $3.44 a gallon is too much.
Not everyone will be driving. There is also an expected increase in flights as 2.61 million are expected to fly, which is a 3 percent increase from last year.
No matter how they get there, Americans can expect to pay a bit more. Renting a car over the weekend will cost an average of $51 per day, which is a 32 percent increase from last year. Airfare is up by 4 percent from last year. The lowest round-trip ticket to 40 of the most popular domestic routes in about $214.
Those staying in a three star hotel will pay 4 percent more than last year, however two star hotels are taking a 2 percent dip and will cost an average of $115 per night.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
