AAA Chicago Says Drop in Gas Prices Will Fuel Labor Day Weekend Travel

With fuel prices slipping down to around $2.90 per gallon, AAA Chicago expects no let up in travel for the Labor Day holiday weekend. AAA estimates that 35.2 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home this holiday, a 1.2 percent increase from the 34.8 million who traveled last year.

"Labor Day weekend signals the traditional end of a summer travel season," says Nicole Niemi, AAA Chicago's spokesperson. "Many people take advantage of a long weekend for one last getaway and lower fuel prices mean many people will be driving."

Approximately 29.6 million travelers (84 percent of all holiday travelers) expect to go by motor vehicle, just over the 29.1 million who drove a year ago.

Although prices may vary by the weekend, currently in Illinois, the price of regular unleaded is $2.99 per gallon, which is 18 cents lower than a month ago. In Indiana, a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline costs $2.73 per gallon compared to $3.01 per gallon during last month.

Eleven percent of holiday travelers, (3.9 million) plan to travel by airplane, down from the 4.0 million that flew last Labor Day holiday. A projected 1.6 million vacationers (4.5 percent) will go by train, bus, or other mode of transportation, down from about 1.7 million a year ago.

Logos, product and company names mentioned are the property of their respective owners.

Reader Comments:

Be the first to leave a comment for this article

Tweet