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(HealthNewsDigest.com) – AAA says that 39.3 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more away from home this Memorial Day holiday, which is one million more than last year. The holiday period is defined as Thursday, May 25 through Monday, May 29.
The spike in travel can be attributed to consumer confidence about the economy including low unemployment rates, higher wages, low fuel prices, and growth in the stock market. Of those traveling, 34.6 million (88.1%) will drive to their destination, another 2.9 million (7.4%) will fly, and the remaining 1.75 million (4.5%) will travel by other modes such as train, bus and cruise ship.
Top U.S. destinations for the Memorial holiday period include Orlando, Seattle, Las Vegas, New York City and Honolulu. Those traveling need to budget a bit more for their getaway. Daily car rental rates are up 7% from last year at $66 per day; roundtrip air rates have risen 9% to an average of $181/per person; hotel prices are up 18% with the average AAA Three Diamond Rated hotel costing $215 per night. While the vast majority of travelers are planning a Memorial Day road trip, many other Americans will take an extended vacation and travel internationally this holiday period. Europe is among the most popular vacations booked with AAA this year largely due to the favorable exchange rate. Foreign destinations on AAA’s top 10 list for the Memorial Day holiday include Rome, London, Dublin, Vancouver, and Paris.
Fuel Prices Will Remain Favorable For Memorial Holiday Travelers
With crude oil prices trading near the $50 a barrel level, AAA expects that fuel prices will remain favorable for those traveling by car this Memorial Day holiday period. Nationwide, regular unleaded averages $2.33 a gallon, eleven cents more than fuel averages reported a year ago. In Nebraska, the average price for unleaded is $2.29 a gallon. Last year at this time, fuel averaged $2.18. For the latest information on fuel prices, visitwww.gasprices.aaa.com.
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