AAA projects 34.9 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home during the Memorial Day holiday weekend, a slight increase of 0.2 percent – or 100,000 travelers – from the 34.8 million people who traveled one year ago. The Memorial Day holiday travel period is defined as Thursday, May 26 to Monday, May 30.

Memorial Day travel experienced a gain of more than 14 percent in 2010, and this year AAA expects a slight gain due to an increase in air travel and an improvement in the overall domestic economic picture.

Travel by automobile down slightly from last year; impact of gas prices

Approximately 30.9 million people plan to drive to their destination, a small decline from the 31 million who drove last year. In spite of gasoline prices more than a dollar per gallon higher than a year ago, automobile travel continues to be the dominant mode of transportation. Almost nine out of ten holiday travelers (88 percent) will take to the nation’s roadways during the Memorial Day holiday weekend.

A survey of intended travelers found that six out of 10 said rising gasoline prices would not impact their travel plans. Of the remaining four out of 10 travelers who said rising gas prices would impact their travel plans, 70 percent will economize in other areas and the rest will take a shorter trip or travel by an alternate mode of transportation.

The average price of self-serve regular unleaded gasoline in Washington state is $4.01 per gallon, up 93 cents compared to last year, but down two cents from last week. Gas prices are up 67 cents in Idaho from a year ago to $3.77 per gallon. Nationally, the average price is $3.91 per gallon, up $1.06 compared to last year.