Labor Day 2013: An Increase in Holiday Travel Expected Thanks to Lower Gas Prices

Sep 02, 2013 10:22 AM EDT | Matt Mercuro

AAA is predicting that more people in the U.S. will travel this Labor Day weekend than last year, mainly due to lower gas prices.

The AAA Labor Day Travel Forecast has projected that 34.1 million Americans will take a trip of at least 50 miles or more this holiday weekend, a 4.2 percent increase compared to the 32.7 million who traveled during the same time last weekend.

The increase in expected travel is mainly due to lower has prices that averages $3.54 per gallon nationwide, a drop of 21 cents from last year.

"For many Americans, their home is also their biggest asset," said AAA President and CEO Robert L. Darbelnet in a press statement. "As home prices improve in many parts of the country more families are feeling comfortable about traveling this Labor Day holiday."

Approximately 85 percent of Labor Day travelers will be going by car, an increase of 4.3 percent from 2012, according to the AAA Labor Day Travel Forecast.

Travelers are expected to take shorter trips however, according to the AAA. On average, travelers will go 594 miles, compared to 626 miles in 2012 last year.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also advised those planning a trip at any point during the weekend to exercise caution.

Over 10,000 people per year lose their lives due to drunk driving crashes, and more law enforcement agency officials will be out looking for impaired drivers.

"Drunk driving remains a serious, deadly crime that all too often destroys the lives of innocent victims," said Secretary Foxx in a statement. "We're sending a message today that we will not tolerate drunk driving, so if you have had too much to drink, don't get behind the wheel."

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