Despite the highest gas prices ever for a holiday, record numbers of Americans will take to the highways and airways for this upcoming Memorial Day weekend, says AAA.
More than 37 million Americans say they will travel 50 miles or more from home.
That number is 2.2% higher compared to last year.
The most predominant mode of travel will be by car. Eighty four percent or more than 31 million people reported that was their choice despite a national average of $2.12 per gallon of gas.
Kris Lathan, a spokesperson for AAA, said:
“The fact of the matter is that Americans want to travel and the high cost of gasoline is no deterrent.”
Big cities are topping the list of preferred destinations, with 25% of national travelers headed that way. The second most popular destination: small towns and rural areas, followed by the category of ocean/beach; mountain areas; lakes; state/national parks; and theme parks.
The West is expected to produce the largest number of air travelers with 1.3 million, followed by the Midwest, with 1.1 million; Southeast, 800,000; Northeast, 500,000; and Great Lakes, 400,000.
Memorial Day is such a popular travel time because it marks the unofficial start of summer, said Mr Lathan.
Report by David Wilkening
