AAA: Labor Day travel expected to be highest since ’08

THE HIGHEST number of Labor Day travelers nationwide since 2008 are expected this weekend, according to AAA Northeast, which pointed to lower gasoline prices, higher disposable incomes and a stronger job market as reasons for the increase.
THE HIGHEST number of Labor Day travelers nationwide since 2008 are expected this weekend, according to AAA Northeast, which pointed to lower gasoline prices, higher disposable incomes and a stronger job market as reasons for the increase.

PROVIDENCE – The highest number of Labor Day travelers nationwide since 2008 are expected this weekend, according to AAA Northeast, which pointed to lower gasoline prices, higher disposable incomes and a stronger job market as reasons for the increase.

AAA said it expects 35.5 million Americans to travel 50 miles or more from home Sept. 3 through 7, an increase of approximately 1 percent from the 35 million people who traveled over Labor Day last year.

AAA said that nearly 86 percent of those traveling – 30 million people across the country – are taking their trips by car, an increase of 1.1 percent compared with last year.

“Labor Day symbolizes American workers’ contributions to the strength and prosperity of our country, and it’s only fitting that millions are choosing to celebrate with an all-American road trip,” Lloyd Albert, senior vice president of public and government affairs, said in a statement. “Motorists have not seen gas prices this low around Labor Day since 2005, so New England’s perennially popular destinations can look forward to rounding out the summer travel season on a high note.”

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AAA projects an increase of more than 1 percent in air travel, with 2.6 million people taking to the skies, representing the highest volume of Labor Day air travel since 2007.

AAA said that the jump in travel numbers is expected despite Labor Day falling later in the calendar. Historically, AAA said that Americans have shown less inclination to travel the later the holiday falls on the calendar. AAA also said that the lowest gasoline prices in more than a decade in Rhode Island will prompt a significant amount of last-minute travel.

Regular, unleaded gasoline prices are $1.14 lower than this time last year in Rhode Island, AAA said.

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