Fewer Americans hitting the road for holiday weekend
Story By: Bea Karnes
Source: NBC
More than 34 million Americans are expected to travel this Labor Day weekend.
That number is down slightly from last year, and the breakdown in how Americans will travel this holiday shows the economy, housing and gas prices are still dogging pocketbooks.
AAA estimates a nearly one percent drop from last year, or 320,000 fewer Americans who will travel 50 miles or more.
Gas prices have dropped in the past month, but are still close to $1 higher a gallon than last Labor Day.
The bulk of travelers, 83 percent, will still drive, but this year, alternative transportation is seeing a 12.5 percent boost.
The reduced highway travel is having one positive benefit.
A study by the University of Michigan's Transportation Research Institute estimates by the end of the year, traffic related deaths could be at their lowest since 1961.
Air travel is taking the biggest hit this holiday, down 4.5 percent from last year.
