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(HealthNewsDigest.com) – AAA projects 37.2 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more away from home during the Memorial Day holiday period, defined as Thursday, May 21 through Monday, May 25. The total travel volume reflects a 4.7 percent increase from the 35.5 million people who traveled last year and the highest travel volume for the holiday since 2005. Kicking off the summer driving season, 33 million travelers will pack up the family vehicle and drive to their destinations.
Highlights from AAA’s 2015 Memorial Day Travel Forecast
►The 2015 Memorial Day forecast is expected to mark the highest travel volume for the holiday since 2005, when 44 million traveled over the holiday period.
►Most drivers will likely pay the lowest Memorial Day gas prices in at least five years. Today’s national average price for regular unleaded gasoline is $2.65, which is $1.01 lower than the national average reported a year ago.
►The 2015 AAA forecast represents a new high-water mark topped only by the spike year of 2005. The 37.2 million travelers projected this year is nearly five percent above 2014 and 7.1 percent above the 15-year average from 2000 to 2014.
►More than 88 percent of travelers (33.3 million) will travel by automobile, an increase of 5.3 percent over last Memorial Day.
►Holiday air travel is expected to increase 2.5 percent to 2.6 million leisure travelers. This is the highest level since 2011 when 2.7 million traveled by air.
►Travelers will encounter higher average daily car rental and lodging costs this year. On average, car rental rates in the top markets are $19 higher than last year, while hotel rates at AAA Three Diamond properties are up seven percent averaging $182 in the larger markets.
►Average airfares for the top 40 domestic flight routes are two percent cheaper this year, falling to $222.
“A strong employment market, a high level of consumer confidence in the economy, and low fuel prices are factors impacting this year’s increase in travel,” stated Rose White, public affairs director for AAA Nebraska. “For many families, lower energy prices provide them with gains in disposable income allowing for more discretionary purchases such as travel. Since we expect low fuel prices to continue, we will likely see a positive influence on travel throughout the summer months,” White said.
With more than 33 million traveling by car this holiday period, AAA reminds motorists to have their vehicle inspected by a professional automotive technician before making any long distance trip. Based on past call volumes, AAA expects to rescue nearly 350,000 motorists at the roadside this Memorial Day weekend, with the primary reasons being dead batteries, flat tires, and lockouts.
To help travelers plan and budget their holiday vacation, AAA created a website with many useful tools. At AAA.com, users have access to free mapping services, fuel price updates for all 50 states, and a fuel cost calculator.
Top Ten Memorial Day Destinations
Based on national AAA.com hotel bookings for the Memorial weekend, the top ten destinations include:
1. Orlando, Florida
2. Las Vegas, Nevada
3. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
4. Fort Lauderdale, Florida
5. Los Angeles, California
6. Branson, Missouri
7. Miami, Florida
8. Phoenix, Arizona
9. Asheville, North Carolina
10. Charleston, South Carolina
Memorial Day Fuel Prices – National Average
The national average price of regular unleaded fuel for the Memorial weekend:
2000 – $1.537
2001 – $1.705
2002 – $1.403
2003 – $1.493
2004 – $2.048
2005 – $2.096
2006 – $2.852
2007 – $3.209
2008 – $3.936
2009 – $2.424
2010 – $2.732
2011 – $3.785
2012 – $3.641
2013 – $3.631
2014 – $3.657
2015 – $2.659 (reported on May 8, 2015)
About the Forecast
AAA’s projections are based on economic forecasting and research by IHS Global Insight. The Colorado-based business information provider teamed with AAA in 2009 to jointly analyze travel trends during major holidays. AAA has been reporting on holiday travel trends for more than two decades. The complete AAA/HIS Global Insight 2015 Memorial Day Travel Forecast can be found atwww.aaanewsroom.net.
About The Auto Club Group
The Auto Club Group (ACG) is the second largest AAA club in North America. ACG and its affiliates provide membership, travel, insurance and financial services offerings to approximately 9 million members across eleven states and two U.S. territories including Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Michigan, Nebraska, North Dakota, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands; most of Illinois and Minnesota; and apportion of Indiana. ACG belongs to the national AAA federation with more than 55 million members in the United States and Canada and whose mission includes protecting and advancing freedom of mobility and improving traffic safety.
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