(September 2, 2009) – The end of summer is luring more vacation travelers than the beginning of the summer season.

            Despite an increase in gasoline prices since Memorial Day, continued economic turbulence and one of the highest unemployment rates in the nation, 497,000 South Carolinians are expected to travel more than 50 miles from home this Labor Day holiday, an increase of 14 percent.

            “That is 62,000 more than Memorial Day,” said David E. Parsons, president and CEO of AAA Carolinas. “It means people really want to get away for the last holiday of the summer, despite the fact that most schools are already in session.”

            Travel experts from Myrtle Beach to Hilton Head believe Labor Day will see an influx of tourists greater than Memorial Day.

            Gas prices across the state are up about 10 cents a gallon more than Memorial Day (May 25) to $2.36 a gallon. 

            The most expensive gasoline currently is in Myrtle Beach at $2.40 cents a gallon and the least expensive is in Spartanburg at $2.26 for a gallon of self-serve, unleaded gasoline.   

            The most popular destinations for motorists, who represent 86% of those traveling, are: Myrtle Beach, Washington D.C., Asheville, Charleston and Atlanta, according to AAA Vacations, which tracks hotel bookings and TripTik routings.

            Economic conditions still affect South Carolina, which has an unemployment of 11.8 percent, compared to the national rate of 9.7 percent.

            “There exists a current pent-up desire to travel that is manifesting itself this weekend,” said Parsons. “It helps that hotels, airlines and entertainment venues are offering discounts, some specific to this weekend, some ongoing.”

            Traffic enforcement will be heavy along the South Atlantic region with stepped up highway patrols and checkpoints along the borders of North and South Carolina, Georgia and Virginia. Last year, fifteen people died in traffic crashes in South Carolina over the Labor Day holiday.

            Air travel will drop significantly for this short holiday weekend from 31,000 passengers over Memorial Day to 18,000 this weekend, representing only 4 percent of those traveling.

            The remaining 10 percent will travel by bus, train or boat, according to surveys prepared by IHS Global Insight on behalf of AAA.     

South Carolina requires its construction projects to keep all travel lanes open during heavily traveled holiday weekends.

Motorists taking a trip can budget estimated gas costs for their personal vehicles on www.fuelcostcalculator.com. By entering origin, destination, make and model of their vehicle, motorists receive the estimated gasoline cost for their trip.
            Motorists seeking the cheapest local gas prices can go to www.aaa.com/fuelfinder. Prices are listed for a 3-, 5- or 10-mile radius of the zip code entered.

EDITOR’S NOTE:  Attachments include safe travel tips and city gasoline prices.

An affiliate of the American Automobile Association, AAA Carolinas is a not-for-profit organization that serves more than 1.7 million members with travel, automobile and insurance services while being an advocate for the safety and security of all travelers.