December 15, 2010 – AAA projects 92.3 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home during the year-end holidays, an increase of 3.1 percent from the 89.5 million who traveled last year. The travel period is defined as Thursday, December 23, 2010 to Sunday, January 2, 2011.

“It’s great to see so many Americans traveling this holiday season, especially since this is the fifth consecutive holiday period where AAA has projected a year-to-year increase,” said Tom Chestnut, President/CEO of AAA Western and Central New York. “After a challenging year in 2009, pent-up demand has resulted in more Americans traveling in 2010, and the year-end holidays are no exception.”

More than nine out of 10 will drive to their holiday destinations

Approximately 85.7 million people (93 percent of all holiday travelers) will drive to their destination during the year-end travel period, representing a 3.2 percent increase from the 83 million who drove last year.

The current national average for a gallon of self-service gasoline is $2.98. Drivers in New York State can expect to pay $3.25 per gallon, while drivers in the Buffalo/Niagara region are paying $3.20. In the Rochester region and Finger Lakes the average price is $3.19, and drivers in Syracuse and Central New York are paying $3.17.

Number of air travelers to increase by nearly three percent

Nearly 2.75 million leisure air travelers (three percent of holiday travelers) will take to the skies during the year-end holidays, marking a 2.8 percent increase from last year’s 2.67 million air travelers. The remaining four percent of holiday travelers are expected to travel by other modes, including rail, bus and watercraft.

Average travel distance up 33 percent; median spending to increase 3.5 percent

The average distance traveled by Americans during the year-end holidays is expected to be 1,052 miles; 33 percent more than last year’s average of 791 miles. Median spending is expected to be $694, compared to $670 in 2009. Like Thanksgiving, 75 percent of travelers said the main purpose of their upcoming trip was a visit with friends or family.

Hotel rates increase, airfares decrease, car rental costs unchanged

According to AAA’s Leisure Travel Index, hotel rates for AAA Three Diamond lodgings over the year-end holidays are expected to increase five percent from a year ago with travelers spending an average of $125 per night, compared to $119 last year. Travelers planning to stay at AAA Two Diamond hotels can expect to pay two percent more at an average cost of $88 per night. Airfares are expected to be three percent less than last year with an average lowest round-trip rate of $174. Weekend daily car rental rates remain unchanged at an average of $50.

In cooperation with AAA, IHS Global Insight has developed a unique approach to forecasting actual travel that explicitly considers current economic conditions, past holiday travel trends and behavior, and a recent survey assessment of pre-holiday American travel intentions. The survey was completed November 12 – November 17.

As Upstate New York’s largest member services organization, AAA provides nearly 880,000 members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive related services. Since its founding in 1900, AAA has been a leading advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. Visit AAA at www.AAA.com.