AAA: Memorial Day 2015 To See Highest Travel Volume In Ten Years
Memorial Day 2015 will see the highest volume of travel in a decade as 37.2 million Americans hit the road to begin their summer season.
The 2015 figure projected by AAA Travel is a 4.7 percent increase over 2014’s 35.5 million travellers during the same period, the highest growth rate projected since Independence Day back in 2012. The increase is fueled by various economic factors encouraging consumer confidence, and boosting disposable income.
As for how those millions of Americans will begin their summer, 33 million — 88 percent — will take to the highways, thanks in part to lower fuel prices at the pump. AAA says most motorists will pay the lowest price per gallon in five years during this year’s Memorial Day period; current national average is $2.66/gallon.
Meanwhile, 2.6 million will take to the skies with the help of lower fares, while 1.64 million choose other transportation options; the latter is a decrease of 3.4 percent compared to 2014.
In exchange for lower fares and fuel, travellers will be paying more for lodging. AAA’s Leisure Travel Index expects Two Diamond hotels to average $144/night and Three Diamonds to average $182/night, an increase of 16 percent and 23 percent, respectively.
Seattle-based writer, blogger, and photographer for many a publication. Born in Louisville. Raised in Kansas. Where I lay my head is home.
More by Cameron Aubernon
Comments
Join the conversation
I see this headline every year, and Christmas shopping season sales will be forecasted to be stellar ahead of time, again, this year.
OT: Was HDC banned? I haven't seen him comment in a while, though I'm not here every day. Anyone know?
Was it really necessary to publish this AAA press release that will get talked about on every stupid local newscast tonight? They say the same thing every year and instead of news teams actually doing investigative journalism they just lazily report this crap.
Well, count me in for travel. I asked my 5 year old daughter last night if she wanted to stay in and relax this memorial day, or if she wanted to go to the dinosaur park. She said "dinosaur park!". So, a little over 100 miles to Dinosaur valley! I am looking forward to it. Provided it can stop raining for one weekend here in Texas. It's not a long trip, but it is a trip.