If you are traveling today for Shabbos, be sure to give yourself extra time due to the Holiday weekend. More than one million (1,046,629) New Jersey residents are expected to travel 50 miles or more from home for the Labor Day holiday weekend according to AAA, an increase of 1% compared to the 1,036,759 who traveled in 2013. The 2014 Labor Day holiday travel period is defined as Thursday, August 28, to Monday, September 1.
Nationally, AAA Travel projects 34.7 million Americans will journey 50 miles or more from home during the Labor Day holiday weekend, the highest volume for the holiday since 2008 and a 1.3 percent increase over 2013. “With Labor Day symbolizing the American workers’ contributions to the strength and prosperity of our country, it’s only fitting that millions are choosing to celebrate this positive direction with an all-American road trip”, said Tracy E. Noble, spokesperson for AAA Mid-Atlantic.
“In New Jersey 84 percent of travelers (881,013) will celebrate the holiday with a final road trip before summer comes to a close and children head back to school”, Noble continued. “The weather outlook for Labor Day weekend is shaping up to be favorable for beach goers so it is not surprising that people will head to the shore.”
Travel by Mode of Transportation:
Total Travelers
New Jersey – 1,046,629, a 1% increase from 2013
Nationally – 34.7 million, a 1.3% increase from Labor Day 2013
Automobile
New Jersey – 881,013 (84% of travelers), a 1.1% increase from last year
Nationally – 29.7 million (86% of travelers), a 1.4% increase from 2013
Air
New Jersey – 89,735 (8.6% of travelers), up 0.1% from those who flew in 2013
Nationally – 2.6 million (8% of travelers), up 1% from last year
Train, Bus, Watercraft or Other Mode
New Jersey – 76,881 (7% of travelers), up 0.4% from 2013
Nationally – 2.3 million (7% of travelers), an increase of 0.5% from last year.
“As schools across the nation usher in their next session of students, the Labor Day holiday provides families with the opportunity for one final extended summer weekend getaway,” said Noble. “AAA reminds drivers as they head out for the holiday and the school year begins that safety should remain top of mind. It is important to remain distraction-free and keep their mind on the task of driving.”
Most U.S. consumers are paying the lowest gas prices for early August since 2010. AAA expects gas prices to have little impact on the number of people traveling for Labor Day, though lower prices could help make travel more affordable. Barring a major development, such as a Gulf Coast hurricane, prices are likely to remain relatively low leading up to the holiday weekend compared to recent years, which will allow travelers to allocate more of their budgets towards travel expenses. The current price of gas is $3.26 in New Jersey compared to $3.51 on Labor Day last year.
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