Tens of millions of Americans plan to climb into their cars or board airplanes for Memorial Day weekend getaways, according to AAA. In fact, the number of travelers is expected to grow slightly this year over 2010, even though gas prices are up more than $1 per gallon. Here, a look at the holiday travel trends, by the numbers:
34.9 million
Estimated number of Americans who will travel more than 50 miles from home this Memorial Day weekend, an increase of about 100,000 people (0.2 percent) over last year
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792
Distance from home, in miles, the typical traveler plans to go this year
626
Distance from home, in miles, the typical traveler voyaged last year
14
Estimated drop, in percentage points, in the typical travel budget this year vs. 2010. Think less traffic at pricey theme parks, and more at historic sites and beaches.
11.5
Estimated increase, in percentage points, in the number of air travelers this holiday weekend over last year. The rise is attributed to higher gas prices.
37 million
Barrels of gasoline Americans pumped over the three-day weekend in 2007, when a gallon cost $3.20
2
Decrease, in percentage points, in Memorial Day weekend gasoline consumption from 2007 to 2010
5.6
Percentage of the typical American family's income that went to gasoline in 2008
7.5
Percentage of the typical American family's income that went to gasoline in April 2011
Sources: Christian Science Monitor, NY Times, Forbes, Wall St. Journal
