AAA projects that 1.77 million people from Connecticut and the five other New England states will journey at least 50 miles from home for Labor Day weekend, a 1.6 percent increase compared to the same period in 2013 and the highest travel volume since 2008. Despite sluggish economic growth, there are enough bright spots, such as employment gains and consumer confidence, to fuel growth in Labor Day weekend travel.
"Popular Labor Day destinations among Connecticut residents include Maine, Cape Cod, the Rhode Island shore and Niagara Falls," said AAA Public Affairs Manager Aaron Kupec. "While economic growth is slow, consumers are feeling more comfortable taking on debt and using their credit cards to take one last summer vacation this year."
Highlights from AAA's Labor Day 2014 Travel Forecast include:
· More than 1.5 million New Englanders plan to travel by automobile this weekend, an increase of 1.7 percent compared to last year. Eighty-six percent of holiday travelers are expected to get to their destination by car.
· Regional holiday air travel is projected to increase 1.9 percent to 127,000.
· Historically, when Labor Day weekend begins in August, more people have traveled.
· Rates at AAA Three Diamond hotels are 6 percent higher than last year, while airfares are up 2 percent and rental car rates are flat.
Gasoline Prices
The Connecticut average for regular unleaded stands at $3.74 per gallon today—16 cents less expensive than a month ago. The Nutmeg State has the seventh most expensive average price in the country—down from the third most expensive entering Labor Day weekend 2013, when the statewide average was $3.91. The easing of global crude oil prices has been a driving factor behind falling retail gasoline prices.
New England travel forecast numbers are in line with projections for the nation as a whole. AAA projects 34.7 million Americans will travel for Labor Day, a 1.3 percent increase from 2013. Nationally, auto travel is expected to climb 1.4 percent, while air travel is expected to increase 1 percent.
AAA's projections are based on economic forecasting and research by IHS Global Insight. The complete AAA / IHS Global Insight Labor Day 2014 Forecast can be found here. The Labor Day holiday travel period is defined as Thursday, August 28 through Monday, September 1.
AAA provides travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services to 54 million members nationwide. AAA is committed to keeping its members on-the-go by providing outstanding roadside assistance, valuable online resources on buying and maintaining vehicles and through the Approved Auto Repair program, which has inspected and approved over 8,000 auto repair facilities in North America. For more information about AAA, members and non-members can visit one of eight offices in Greater Hartford and eastern Connecticut, go online to AAA.com or call 860-236-3261.