In anticipation of the upcoming Labor Day holiday weekend, AAA Travel released its annual Labor Day Holiday Travel Forecast. The Labor Day holiday travel period is defined as Thursday, Aug. 29, through Monday, Sept. 2. AAA Travel projects 34.1 million Americans will travel more than 50 miles from home during the holiday weekend, a 4.2 percent increase from 32.7 million travelers in 2012. This projection marks a post-recession high. “AAA is forecasting a lift in Labor Day travel this year due to the increasingly positive economic outlook and optimism in the housing market,” said Robert L. Darbelnet, president and CEO of AAA.
Highlights from the report include
- Approximately 29.2 million people (85 percent) will drive to their destination, a 4.3 percent increase from 28 million in 2012
- 46 percent of travelers will depart on Friday, Aug. 30
- On average, a traveler will journey 594 miles round trip, 32 miles less than last year’s average
- Travelers are expected to spend $804 over the holiday weekend, $55 more than in 2012
- Daily car rental rates during the weekend will average $51, 32 percent higher than last year’s average of $39
What are your plans for the Labor Day holiday weekend?
— Katie Skrzek, digital media manager
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