AAA Says More Than 2 Million Floridians Will Travel Memorial Day Weekend

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Florida - AAA estimates that there will be 39.3 million Americans, including 2.08 million Floridians, traveling during this Memorial Day weekend, May 25 to May 29. This is the highest number of Florida travelers in 12 years for the holiday, up 66,169 travelers from 2016. “So far in 2017, travel bookings with AAA in Florida are up 17%, compared to the same period last year," says Travel Sales Development Assistant Vice President of AAA - The Auto Club Group, Vicky Evans. "Higher confidence, rising wages, and recent gas price declines have bolstered consumer spending, leaving many Americans with more money to spend on travel this Memorial Day.”

(Travel volume chart courtesy of AAA)

Gas prices are also seeming to stabilize after a 3-week decline in price. Currently, the state average is $2.32, up 7 cents from $2.25 on Memorial Day weekend in 2016. In Daytona Beach, the current average is $2.29 where a year ago it was $2.15. For current and past gas price averages in other Florida cities, go here. In the last 25 days, gas prices in Florida have declined 15 cents, now costing about $34.80 to fill up an average gas tank, $1 more expensive than 2016. Even though gas prices in 2017 are higher than last year, they are expected to stay far away from the highs seen in 2015. "Well, we've seen some pretty steady declines in gas prices this month due primarily to lower oil prices and increased supply. So, we should see gas prices on par with last year's numbers which was less than $2.30," says Mark Jenkins, AAA spokesman. More Americans and Floridians are expected to travel by car this year, but there is also increases in air, train, bus and cruise travel. The average domestic airfare price is $181, up 9% from 2016, and the average hotel costs $215 a night, up 18% from 2016. Car rentals are also expected to be higher this year, costing about $66 a day, up 7% from 2016. The top 5 destinations for Memorial Day weekend are: 1. Orlando, Florida 2. Rome, Italy 3. London, England 4. Dublin, Ireland 5. Vancouver, Canada Orlando's airport (MCO) is expected to be one of the busiest. "One of the best tools for travelers before they set out is the AAA mobile app," says Jenkins. "You can download this for free on your smartphone and you can compare gas prices in your area, you can find AAA Diamond rated hotels and restaurants and if you have car trouble, you can just push the button and request emergency roadside service." To download the app, go here. Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2017.