WALNUT CREEK, Calif. – Californians are expected to take full advantage of the last gasp of summer.

A new travel survey from AAA Northern California predicts an eleven percent increase in the number of Californians expected to travel over Labor Day weekend.

 

AAA’s latest travel forecast predicts more than 4 million Californians will travel 50 miles or more from their homes this upcoming three-day Labor Day weekend. This represents an overall increase of 11 percent compared to last year.

“Despite the continued mixed feelings regarding the economic recovery, a strong comeback in travel is anticipated for this holiday weekend,” said AAA Northern California spokesperson Cynthia Harris. “Compared to last year, fewer Californians are expected to pull back on discretionary spending, which will have a considerably positive impact on travel.”

this year, holiday trips by automobile are expected to be the preferred mode of transportation with more than 3.5 million Californians driving to reach their holiday destinations.

This represents an 11.6 percent increase compared to 2009. More than 315,000 Californians are planning to travel by air, an increase of 5.7 percent compared to last year.

Approximately 170,000 state residents are expected to travel by other modes of transportation, such as rail, buses and watercraft. This represents an increase of 7.9 percent over 2009.

Nationally, AAA projects just over 34 million people will travel 50 miles or more during the Labor Day weekend, representing a 9.9 percent increase compared to 2009.

The AAA Leisure Travel Index shows that airfares over Labor Day weekend are expected to rise by nine percent, with an average cost of $179 per ticket. Hotel rates at AAA Three Diamond lodgings are expected to average $139 per night and weekend car rentals are forecasted to increase seven percent, with a new average rate of $46. The expenditures of a West Coast family of four is expected to average $1,016 over the weekend, and the average road trip is predicted to cover 726 miles.

AAA’s survey shows that visits with friends and relatives will be the preferred leisure activity for West Coast families. Other favorite activities over the weekend are expected to be touring and sightseeing, followed by dining out.

As part of AAA’s ongoing commitment to provide safety and protection to motorists, the AAA Tipsy Tow Program offers a free tow home for drinking drivers in Northern California, Nevada, and Utah from 6:00 p.m. on September 6, until 6:00 a.m. on September 7. Members and non-members alike can call (800) 222-4357 (AAA-HELP) for a free tow of up to five miles.

“Just tell the AAA operator, ‘I need a Tipsy Tow,’ and a truck will be on its way,” said Harris. “Service is restricted to a one-way ride for the driver and his or her vehicle to the driver’s home.”

 

To save money and improve gas mileage while on the road, AAA offers the following advice for motorists:

• Keep your tires properly inflated. Every pound of pressure that a tire is under inflated results in a two percent loss in fuel efficiency.

• Don’t use premium fuel if your car does not require it. Check your owner’s manual.

• Observe the speed limit. With speed above 55 mph, aerodynamic drag increases and fuel efficiency decreases rapidly.

• Avoid hard acceleration and drive defensively. Try to brake and accelerate smoothly.

• Idling unnecessarily wastes fuel. Most cars today do not need to be warmed up.

• Travel light. A loaded roof rack can decrease fuel economy by five percent.

AAA offers a variety of guides and maps for members, in addition to the TripTik Travel Planner, available free to all travelers at www.aaa.com/triptik.

Three iPhone apps offer access to AAA products and services. The AAA TripTik Mobile app provides information on gas prices, hotels, restaurants and attractions.

Travel projections are based on research conducted by IHS Global Insight. The Boston-based economic research and consulting firm teamed up with AAA as part of an agreement to jointly analyze travel trends during the major holidays. AAA has been reporting on holiday travel trends for more than two decades.

AAA Travel is the nation’s largest travel organization. AAA Travel offers trips, cruises, tours and vacation packages throughout the world. Call (888) 937-5523 for more information or visit us at your local AAA Travel office or online at www.aaa.com/travel.