Nearly 35 Million Traveling for Labor Day; Most in Six Years

AAA projects 34.7 million Americans will journey 50 miles or more from home during the Labor Day holiday weekend, the highest volume for the holiday since 2008 and a 1.3 percent increase over 2013. Nearly 86 percent of travelers (29.7 million) will celebrate the holiday with a final road trip before summer comes to a close. The Labor Day holiday travel period is defined as Thursday, August 28 to Monday, September 1.

Highlights from 2014 Labor Day Travel Forecast include:

-Historically, when Labor Day weekend begins in August, Americans have shown a higher tendency to travel.

-Automobile travel will increase by 1.4 percent this year, with 29.7 million travelers hitting the road.

-Nearly eight percent of travelers (2.65 million) will travel by air, a one percent increase from last year. This includes both commercial flights and private ones through companies like this air charter service Jettly offers.

-Travelers will encounter airfares just two percent higher than last year and daily car rental costs that remain consistent at $51.

-Hotel rates at AAA Two Diamond hotels are nine percent higher than last year and Three Diamond hotels are six percent more.

Vehicle Maintenance Takes No Vacation

Proper auto maintenance is key to avoiding a breakdown this weekend. Over Labor Day weekend in 2013, AAA’s Roadside Rescue Team responded to hundreds of calls from West Virginia motorists, including dozens of calls for battery problems and from drivers locked out of their vehicles. AAA urges motorists to check their vehicle batteries, fluid levels, tires, belts and hoses before hitting the road.

Gasoline Prices
The West Virginia average for regular unleaded stands at $3.47 per gallon today-15 cents less expensive than a month ago and nearly eight cents less expensive than this time in 2013. The easing of global crude oil prices has been a driving factor behind falling retail gasoline prices.

Drivers can use AAA’s Fuel Gauge Report to find the lowest-priced fuel at home, across the state or nationwide. Plot your most fuel efficient route on your next trip. AAA’s Fuel Cost calculator allows you to input your start and destination city, make & model of your car and then show about how much you will spend on gas.