1.1 Million Plan Memorial Day Travel, Says AAA Travel Survey

Auto travel up 3.9 percent in Midwest

DEARBORN, Mich., May 17 -- An estimated 1.1 million Michiganians will travel during the upcoming Memorial Day weekend, launching the start of the 2007 summer travel season, says AAA Michigan. According to a national survey conducted for AAA by the Travel Industry Association of America (TIA), more Midwest travelers are opting to drive instead of fly this Memorial holiday, despite high gas prices.

"High gas prices and increased vacation costs won't deter Americans from traveling this Memorial Day," said Claire Lockley, vice president of Travel for The Auto Club Group (ACG). "Many families will travel closer to home, they will travel for fewer days and will save money by staying in less expensive hotels and eating in less expensive restaurants, but they will continue to take vacations and plan getaways."

As of May 14, the statewide average for self-serve, regular gasoline was $3.271 -- 37.1 cents more per gallon than a year ago.

Travelers will get a bit of a break this year: AAA's Leisure Travel Index shows flights over the holiday weekend averaging 5 percent less this year than last year, with the average flight costing $166. Car rental rates are expected to fall 16 percent from last year, with renters paying an average of $31, almost $6 less than last year. Hotel rates, however, will be up about 13 percent from a year ago, with travelers spending an average of $174 per night at AAA 3 Diamond hotels.

For Midwest residents planning a summer vacation, the 10 most popular destinations are:

           1)  Yellowstone National Park WY
           2)  Las Vegas                 NV
           3)  Denver                    CO
           4)  Branson                   MO
           5)  St. Louis                 MO
           6)  Washington                DC
           7)  Myrtle Beach              SC
           8)  Niagara Falls             ON
           9)  Chicago                   IL
           10) Nashville                 TN

AAA's national survey contacted 1,500 U.S. residents. Respondents provided these insights into Memorial Day travel:

  -- The greatest number of Memorial Day auto travelers will originate in
     the West with 7.6 million travelers, followed by the Southeast with
     6.9 million; Midwest, 6.8 million; Northeast, 6.0 million; and Great
     Lakes, 4.8 million.

  -- The West is expected to produce the largest number of air travelers
     with 1.4 million, followed by the Midwest with 1.2 million; Southeast,
     900,000; Northeast, 500,000; and Great Lakes, 400,000.

  -- Many American households will be traveling with their children.  In
     fact, 57 percent of households with children under 18 will bring them
     along on their Memorial Day vacation this year nationwide.

  -- Travelers from the Midwest region are most likely to travel with their
     children, with 66.6 percent saying they would be bringing their kids
     along.  The Southeast follows close behind with 60 percent traveling
     with kids under 18.  Fifty four percent of parents in the Northeast
     will travel with their children, while 53 percent of parents in the
     West say the same.  The lowest percentage of families traveling with
     kids under 18 will be from the Great Lakes region, with 50 percent.

The 78-hour Memorial Day weekend officially begins: 6 p.m., Friday, May 25 and ends 11:59 p.m., Monday, May 28. During Memorial Day weekend in 2006, 18 people were killed in 17 fatal crashes in Michigan, an increase from the 15 killed in 11 fatal crashes in 2005. Five of last year's victims were belted. Alcohol was a factor in one of the fatal crashes.

This year, Michigan law enforcement agencies will continue an ambitious program to make this the safest Memorial Day on record by increasing traffic patrols to strictly enforce safety belt laws. The Auto Club advises motorists to plan ahead and allow extra time to navigate construction areas on the state's highways.