Millions of Americans will hit the road this Labor Day weekend, but quite a few will be keeping their barbecues and picnics close to home because the recession has pinched the family budget, according to a survey.
The American Automobile Association predicts 25 million people will take trips of 100 miles or more, with 22.8 traveling in motor vehicles and the rest taking planes, trains or buses.That would represent a 1 percent increase over last year's Labor Day motor vehicle travel, but the projection itself is the lowest made by AAA since the auto club began doing this type of survey in 1985.
And AAA spokesman Jerry Cheske acknowledged today that some of the people who said they will take extended trips will end up staying closer to home. That has been the trend in leisure travel throughout the summer.
"People don't quit traveling when economic times are bad," Cheske said. "They look at ways to travel more cost effectively."
The AAA survey said 26 percent of the holiday travelers will go to the ocean or a beach, while 19 percent will vacation in a city and 18 percent will visit a town or rural area. Fourteen percent expect to go to a lake, 12 percent will go to the mountains, 5 percent will go to a state or national park, 3 percent will go to a theme or amusement park and the rest are undecided, the AAA said.