File photo: WRN
A record number of people are expected to head out on holiday trips this week. Auto club AAA is projecting the biggest ever year-end travel period in Wisconsin and nationwide, with about 98.6 million Americans expected to travel 50 miles or more from home over the next week and about 1.9 million Wisconsinites expected to hit the road.
Nationwide, travel is up about four percent from last year. AAA-Wisconsin spokesman Nick Jarmusz says there are two major factors behind the jump. First, people are feeling more comfortable about spending money on holiday trips with the continued recovery of the economy. Also the closeness of both the Christmas and New Year’s holidays to weekends will also make it easier for people to spread out their travel times.
While they may not be directly encouraging people to take a trip, recent declines in gas prices are also helping people save some money this season. According to AAA’s Fuel Gauge report, the statewide average price for regular unleaded fuel in Wisconsin is at $2.38 a gallon. That’s down $0.75 from the same time last year and $0.48 in the past month.
The holiday travel period will kick-off on Tuesday with many people expected to return home by the weekend.