AAA Chicago Expects Record Memorial Day Holiday Travel

AURORA, Ill., May 18, 2004 -- According to AAA, record numbers of Americans will travel this Memorial Day holiday despite record high gas prices. AAA estimates that 36.9 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home this holiday, a 3.6 percent increase from last year.

Approximately 30.9 million travelers are expected to travel by car, a 3.4 percent increase from the 29.9 million who drove last year. Another 4.1 million people plan to travel by airplane, which is up 5.3 percent from the last Memorial Day holiday.

"Record high gas prices won't keep Americans from traveling this holiday," said Steve Nolan, spokesperson for AAA Chicago.

The strong holiday forecast comes at a time when both the economy and travelers' comfort with security have improved during the last year. "AAA's travel agents and auto counselors have seen marked increases in travel interest this spring compared to a year ago," Nolan said.

The greatest number of Memorial Day travelers will originate in the West with 7.4 million, followed by the Southeast with 6.8 million. Auto travelers from the Midwest are expected to be around 6.6 million, followed by the Northeast with 5.6 million and finally the Great Lakes with 4.5 million.

The Travel Industry Association of America, which conducts special research for AAA, bases Memorial Day travel projections on a national telephone survey of 1300 adults.

AAA Chicago offers automotive, travel, insurance and financial services. It is part of The Auto Club Group (ACG), the largest affiliation of AAA clubs in the Midwest, with 4.1 million members in eight states. ACG clubs belong to the national AAA federation, a not-for-profit organization, with more than 45 million members in the United States and Canada.