License To Travel: More Marylanders Expected To Hit The Road This Labor Day Weekend
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- If the Grand Prix road closures don't stall your commute this weekend, a boost in holiday travel just might. More Marylanders say they'll travel somewhere.
Gigi Barnett explains they're using all methods of travel.
Nearly 700,000 Marylanders are getting out of town this holiday weekend. Rest and relaxation top their agenda.
"We're going to get ready to pack, go down to Myrtle Beach, sit on the beach and enjoy ourselves," a man said.
But there will be hours of travel between here and there, and many other travelers, too, trying to get to their destinations as well.
"It's actually the highest increase that we've seen since the recession," said Ragina Averella, AAA spokeswoman.
Averella says most Maryland travelers are going by car--about 87 percent. Why? Gas prices are down.
"It's slightly less than it was a month ago. And actually, if you look at a year ago, it's actually 22 cents less than what we were paying this Labor Day holiday weekend," she said.
"Yeah, two days of driving. It's quicker to fly," said Lili Combs.
Combs isn't interested in heading out on the highway this holiday. She and her daughter, Olivia, want to get to grandma's in Ohio much faster. They're part of the eight percent of Marylanders who will fly this weekend.
Combs says she searched websites for deals, and found them.
"I did, I got two tickets for us, it was a good deal. Both were less than $200 each," she said.
And that is a passport to travel.
AAA says many people are choosing to travel in pairs of two or as single passengers. The agency believes the start of the school year is a factor.
