Road Travel Expected To Increase For Labor Day Weekend
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Where are you going over the Labor Day weekend?
As WBBM Newsradio's Dave Marsett reports, AAA says the majority of us won't be going very far.
AAA Chicago says fewer Americans will be traveling a significant distance over the upcoming Labor Day weekend, but the organization says there will be more people on the roads.
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AAA says part of the blame is economic uncertainty and higher airfares.
But the organization also says gasoline prices are down nearly 10 percent from their peak in May, although this may not resonate with Chicagoans. CBS 2's Kristyn Hartman reported gas prices in Chicago stood at $3.96 per gallon Monday, and are higher than they were a week ago.
Part of the reason is that Illinois lost two refineries, which analysts say is detrimental when only a few make the special Chicago summer gas blend.
Overall, AAA forecasts 31.5 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more, a 2.4 percent decrease from last year.
A total of 1.7 million people in Illinois will travel, down 2.6 percent from last year, AAA said. That figure comprises just under 1.6 million who will be driving, an increase of 0.1 percent, and just over 69,000 flying, a decrease of 2.3 percent.
In Indiana, a total of 738,000 people are expecte3d to travel, down 1.8 percent from last year. Of those, 674,000 – a 1 percent increase – are expected to drive – and nearly 25,000, a 1.4 percent decrease – will fly.
The Sun-Times Media Wire contributed to this report.
