This summer, there will be a slight decrease in the number of Americans traveling during the Labor Day holiday weekend, AAA Oregon/Idaho predicts.

(File Photo)

Nearly 34.38 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home this Labor Day holiday weekend, down 0.9 percent, or almost 320,000 Americans, from the 34.7 million who traveled last year, according to AAA.

It would be the third decline in Labor Day travel this decade. Travel over Labor Day 2002 was down as the nation approached the first anniversary of 9/11, and the lower volume of travel for Labor Day 2006 reflected the beginning of rising gas prices.

“While we are seeing a drop in travel, it is a small improvement over the Fourth of July holiday when we saw a drop of 1.3 percent. This may show that travelers are starting to respond to the recent drop in gasoline prices,” said Marie Dodds, Public Affairs Director for AAA Oregon/Idaho.

“Also, there's more interest in some of the traditionally lesser used transportation modes, with more people planning to travel by train and bus,” she added.

Approximately 28.64 million Americans (more than 83 percent of all holiday travelers) expect to travel by automobile, a 1.1 percent decrease from the 28.97 million people who drove to their holiday destinations last year.

The national average for regular unleaded is $3.69 per gallon, and Oregon's average is $3.87. Gas prices have dropped significantly from the Fourth of July travel period when the national average was $4.09 and Oregon's average was $4.29, but drivers are still paying about a dollar a gallon more than a year ago when the national average was $2.78 and Oregon's average was $2.75.

Almost 3.96 million Americans (11.5 percent of holiday travelers) intend to travel by airplane, a 4.5 percent decrease from the 4.14 million people who flew last year.

A projected 1.8 million Americans (5 percent of holiday travelers) plan to travel by train, bus or other mode of transportation. That represents an increase of 12.5 percent (or 200,000 travelers) more than the 1.6 million who traveled by a mode other than automobile or airplane last year.

AAA’s Leisure Travel Index, which is based on available rates this holiday, reveals that Labor Day holiday travelers can expect increases in other travel costs when compared to last year.

Those traveling by airplane will find air fares over the holiday weekend 15 percent higher last year. AAA advises travelers that many airlines now charge fees for checked baggage and other services that were previously complimentary, so travelers should check with the airline or their travel counselor about any additional fees for their trip.

Hotel rates for AAA Three Diamond hotels are unchanged from last year’s Labor Day holiday travel period.

AAA’s LTI shows an average increase in car rental prices of two percent. However, car rental rates vary from location to location, with some cities in AAA’s index showing significant increases, while others show significant decreases compared to a year ago.

The greatest number of Labor Day holiday weekend automobile travelers will originate in the West with 7.2 million, followed by the Southeast with 6.6 million; Midwest, 5.5 million; Northeast, 4.8 million; and Great Lakes, 4.5 million.

The West is expected to produce the largest number of air travelers with 1.5 million, followed by the Southeast with 1.3 million; Northeast, 500,000; Great Lakes, 400,000; and Midwest, 300,000.