Continuing concerns about the economy and early school openings are
expected to cause a slight drop in highway travel over the Labor Day
holiday.
According to a national travel survey of 1,300 adults by the
Travel Industry Association (which conducts special research for AAA),
approximately 32.7 million travelers plan to take a trip 50 miles or
more from home this Labor Day holiday. This figure is down slightly from
the 33 million estimated to have traveled last year. Of those
traveling, 27.5 million are expected to drive compared to 27.6 million
in 2001.
Most highway travelers will originate in the West, with 6.8
million, followed by the Southeast, with 6.4 million; Midwest, 5.4
million; Northeast, 4.6 million; and Great Lakes, 4.3 million.
The largest number of travelers, 22 percent, plan to visit small
towns or rural areas; oceans or beaches, 21 percent; and cities, 19
percent. Other popular destinations include mountains and lakes, 11
percent each; theme or amusement parks, 6 percent; state or national
parks, 4 percent; and other, 6 percent.
Of those spending at least one night at their destination,
overnight plans include: camper/trailer/RV/tent, 15 percent; cabin or
condo, 9 percent; and other, 3 percent. Another 4 percent had not made
overnight plans or hadn’t decided.
