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Auto Club Says Gas Prices Aren't Keeping Travelers Home

30 August 2000

Where is the Most Popular Labor Day Destination?; Auto Club Says Gas Prices Aren't Keeping Travelers Home

    LOS ANGELES--Aug. 29, 2000--San Diego will be the most popular destination for Southern Californians driving over the Labor Day Weekend, according to the Automobile Club of Southern California.
    Rounding out the top five destinations are the Central Coast (Santa Barbara/San Luis Obispo-Cambria), Palm Springs, Las Vegas and Yosemite.
    A total of 4.2 million Californians are expected to take to the road for the holiday, 2.7 million of them from Southern California. Travel, involving vehicle trips more than 100 miles from home, is expected to be up 5% over the holiday in Southern California despite higher gasoline prices. An Auto Club survey shows that the statewide average price of regular unleaded gasoline is $1.70 a gallon, 16 cents higher than last year's holiday weekend.
    Nationally, an estimated 33.7 million Americans are expected to travel 100 miles or more from home over the holiday, also a five percent increase over last year, even though average national gas prices are up 23 cents compared to last Labor Day. The national average price for regular unleaded gasoline today is $1.50.
    "Generally, if the economy is good, higher gas prices will not stop motorists from taking holiday weekend trips," said Auto Club Spokesperson Carol Thorp. "Motorists don't like higher prices, and they may choose to economize on food or lodging to offset those prices, but if they've planned a getaway, they are inclined to go."

    For a safe Labor Day Weekend trip, the Auto Club and Verizon
Wireless are reminding drivers to follow these cellular telephone
guidelines:

    --  Stop your car before you make a call or have a passenger make
        and take calls for you.

    --  Never try to take notes while driving. Pull off the road and
        stop the car.

    --  Shut your phone off if necessary to pay full attention to the
        road.

    --  Know your wireless phone number so emergency personnel can
        call you back.

    The Auto Club also recommends:

    --  Getting on the road early. Usually outgoing traffic is
        heaviest Friday afternoon and Saturday morning. The heaviest
        returning traffic is usually Monday afternoon.

    --  Check your vehicle's fluid levels, belts, hoses and tires. Hot
        weather can crack worn belts and hoses and cause a weak
        battery to fail.

    --  Plan your route ahead of time and bring along a map in case
        you need to choose an alternate route. Motorists can call the
        CalTrans highway information number at 800/427-7623 for
        interstate and state route lane closures and highway closures.
        The information is updated hourly.

    --  Be sure your children are wearing safety belts and car seats
        are properly installed. Accompany children into the restroom
        during travel breaks.

    --  Pack plenty of fluids and plan activities for youngsters on
        long trips.

    --  Choose a well-lit, populated area for rest stops when driving
        at night.

    "It is also vitally important not to drink and drive at anytime including this holiday weekend," said Thorp. "The most important parts of any trip are arriving and coming home safely."
    All lanes of the I-5 in both directions over the Grapevine in Gorman will be open during the holiday weekend, according to CalTrans. Lanes had been closed for construction during previous holiday weekends.