Despite higher vacation costs and gasoline prices, Coloradans are still expected to hit the road this Labor Day weekend, AAA Colorado announced today.
The auto club is projecting a total of 35 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home over the three-day weekend, up 1.2 percent over last year. Eighty-four percent will go by car; 11 percent will travel by air.
But it will be more expensive. Overall vacation costs are up 5 percent over last Labor Day weekend, according to AAA’s Leisure Travel Index.
A tank of unleaded gas in Colorado averaged $3.03 as of today, up 41 cents over last year.
“We do know that more people are driving, but folks are looking to cut costs,” said Alexa Gromko, spokeswoman for AAA Colorado. “Gas prices are having an impact on people’s length or duration of trip. They’ll probably stay closer to home and many will stay with family and friends instead of in hotels.”
Top in-state destinations include Grand Junction, Colorado Springs, Denver and Aspen, according to AAA Colorado. The most popular out-of-state destinations are Atlanta, New York, Phoenix, Billings, Mont. and Fairbanks, Alaska.
Staff writer Julie Dunn can be reached at 303-820-1592 or at jdunn@denverpost.com.
