During Memorial Day Weekend which falls on Monday, May 26, 2014, Americans who are planning to travel can expect to be part of the 1.5 increase in travelers nationwide. AAA Travel projected the number of vacationers to grow to 36.1 million people journeying 50 miles or more from home. The Memorial Day holiday travel period will stretch between Thursday, May 22 to Monday, May 26.
Manager of media relations for AAA New York, Robert Sinclair Jr. said Americans are antsy to go vacationing because of the lengthy and difficult winter, saying that travel plans will hit a post-recession high.
“As the economy continues to improve at a slow but steady pace, consumer spending, disposable income, consumer confidence and the employment outlook are trending upward, which is welcome news for the travel industry,” Sinclair said in an AAA release.
But due to hurricane seasons starting on June 1, gas prices will increase in the New York City area as well as Long Island and might reach $4.00 and $3.95 pre gallon respectively.
“Drivers might want to wait until they hit New Jersey to fill up where the state average is $3.50 with Newark at $3.51 a gallon and Atlantic City averaging $3.47,” Sinclair encouraged.
Weekend daily car rentals will cost $44 on average, similar to last year, although airfare will see the most significant increase with an average round-trip increasing by six percent from $215 to $227.
To read the original release, click here.
