AAA Texas: Labor Day Travel Numbers Dip Slightly

IRVING, TX--(Marketwire - August 25, 2008) - Texans can expect slightly smaller crowds on the roads and at the airports as they did this time last year in the run-up to Labor Day weekend, according to AAA Texas. About 2.55 million residents statewide are expected to make end-of-summer getaways this weekend, down by about 1.1% compared to 2007.

Of this weekend's travelers, more than 85 percent, or 2.1 million people statewide, are expected to go by car to their holiday destinations. Another 211,000 travelers are expected to fly. The remainder are expected to use other means such as bus or train.

"Millions of Texans still plan to travel over the holiday, but high gas prices and a slower economy means more of them are taking trips closer to home," said Auto Club spokesperson, Dan Ronan.

All regions of the country are expected to experience a slight downturn in the number of Labor Day travelers in comparison to 2007. Nationally, Labor Day travel is expected to inch down by nine-tenths of one percent compared to 2007, with 34.4 million Americans expected to get away over the holiday.

Travelers can take some consolation that gasoline prices in most areas of Texas are lower than they were at the beginning of the summer travel season. However, prices are still about 85 cents higher that a year ago. Families who want to estimate the fuel costs for their holiday trip can use AAA's online tool, www.fuelcostcalculator.com.

AAA Texas, a member of the AAA federation of motor clubs, has been serving Texans since 1902. Today, more than a million AAA Texas' members benefit by the organization's roadside assistance service, travel agency, financial products, automotive pricing, buying and financing, trip planning services, and traffic safety programs. Information about these products and services is available on AAA Texas' web site at www.AAA.com.

Contact Information: Contact: Dan Ronan AAA Corporate Communications Manager Ronan.dan@aaa-texas.com danronan@sprint.blackberry.com 469 221 8217 work 469 583 7070 cell Sonta Henderson AAA Corporate Communications Henderson.sonta@aaa-texas.com 512 444 4757 ext 224