While an estimated 43 million Americans started their summers this Memorial Day weekend, it’s likely not the case in Oklahoma where thousands are battling high waters and tornadoes.
The flooding means many state parks are either under water or dangerously close to it.
Still, AAA predicts this long holiday weekend is seeing the second-highest travel volume on record since AAA started tracking holiday travel volumes back in 2000. Overall, another 1.5 million will take t the nation’s roads, rails and runway s compared with last year. That’s an increase of 3.6 percent.
And it comes as rising national gasoline prices are closer to the $3 a gallon mark.
“Americans are eagerly anticipating the start of summer, and expensive gas prices won’t keep them home this Memorial Day weekend,” said Paula Twidale, vice president, AAA Travel. “Consumer spending remains strong, helped by solid job and income growth. Families continue to prioritize spending their disposable incomes on travel, and near-record numbers of them are looking forward to doing just that for Memorial Day.”
Most will travel somewhere by car for the holiday weekend. AAA puts the estimated number at 37.6 million, or about 3.5 percent more than last year. Another 3.25 million will fly which is 4.8 percent more than a year ago. Those traveling by trains, buses and cruise ships total 1.9 million or 3.8 percent higher than last Memorial Day weekend.
