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The summer travel season officially kicked off Memorial Day weekend, but high gas prices appear to be causing many to hit the brakes on their vacation plans.
For the first time since 2002, less people planned to travel during the long weekend than the previous year, according to an annual AAA survey. The motor club estimated that 37.8 million Americans planned to travel 50 miles or more from home, about 360,000 less than last Memorial Day.
The price of a gallon of gas is a major factor in some people’s travel decisions, a spokeswoman for AAA Chicago Motor Club said. As of Tuesday, May 27, the average price for one gallon of regular grade gas in the Chicago area was $4.18, according to AAA.
“As long as gas prices are as high as they are, or if they continue to increase, people will probably cut back on travel,” AAA spokeswoman Nicole Niemi said.
While families who have been planning major trips to places like Disney World or the Grand Canyon still will go, people might cut back on shorter weekend trips, Niemi said.
Those who choose to travel will look to cut back on expensive meals or souvenirs to offset the higher price of gas or plane tickets, she said.
“People are making adjustments in order to continue to be able to travel, because it’s such an American pastime,” Niemi said.
Vacationers who travel by car aren’t the only ones being hit by high gas prices. Fuel costs also are driving up airfares and causing some airlines to add new fees for passengers.
American Airlines announced May 21 that as of June 15, it will begin charging a $15 fee for passengers’ first checked bags. This follows a new $25 charge for a second bag.
Wayne Tofel has owned Grove Travel in Downers Grove for 19 years. His business has dropped off as gas prices have climbed to $4 per gallon and higher.
“Our spring was really good,” Tofel said. “Business was good, but then gas hit $4.”
Tofel predicted that if gas prices remain where they are now or begin to taper off, people might adjust to the higher prices and start planning vacations.
“If they keep climbing, I have no idea,” he said.
To cut down on the cost of traveling, people should plan ahead and book flights early to lock in lower airfares, Tofel said.
The one mode of transportation that appears to be bucking the trend is rail.
Amtrak has seen an 11 percent increase in ridership so far this year, Chicago-based spokesman Marc Magliari said. The increase comes after last year’s record ridership of 25.8 million.
According to Amtrak’s research and surveys of its passengers “around half the reason for the increase is the higher fuel prices for car travel,” Magliari said.
Amtrak expects people to continue choosing train travel over driving in increasing numbers throughout the summer, Magliari said.
The summer travel season officially kicked off Memorial Day weekend, but high gas prices appear to be causing many to hit the brakes on their vacation plans.
For the first time since 2002, less people planned to travel during the long weekend than the previous year, according to an annual AAA survey. The motor club estimated that 37.8 million Americans planned to travel 50 miles or more from home, about 360,000 less than last Memorial Day.
The price of a gallon of gas is a major factor in some people’s travel decisions, a spokeswoman for AAA Chicago Motor Club said. As of Tuesday, May 27, the average price for one gallon of regular grade gas in the Chicago area was $4.18, according to AAA.
“As long as gas prices are as high as they are, or if they continue to increase, people will probably cut back on travel,” AAA spokeswoman Nicole Niemi said.
While families who have been planning major trips to places like Disney World or the Grand Canyon still will go, people might cut back on shorter weekend trips, Niemi said.
Those who choose to travel will look to cut back on expensive meals or souvenirs to offset the higher price of gas or plane tickets, she said.
“People are making adjustments in order to continue to be able to travel, because it’s such an American pastime,” Niemi said.
Vacationers who travel by car aren’t the only ones being hit by high gas prices. Fuel costs also are driving up airfares and causing some airlines to add new fees for passengers.
American Airlines announced May 21 that as of June 15, it will begin charging a $15 fee for passengers’ first checked bags. This follows a new $25 charge for a second bag.
Wayne Tofel has owned Grove Travel in Downers Grove for 19 years. His business has dropped off as gas prices have climbed to $4 per gallon and higher.
“Our spring was really good,” Tofel said. “Business was good, but then gas hit $4.”
Tofel predicted that if gas prices remain where they are now or begin to taper off, people might adjust to the higher prices and start planning vacations.
“If they keep climbing, I have no idea,” he said.
To cut down on the cost of traveling, people should plan ahead and book flights early to lock in lower airfares, Tofel said.
The one mode of transportation that appears to be bucking the trend is rail.
Amtrak has seen an 11 percent increase in ridership so far this year, Chicago-based spokesman Marc Magliari said. The increase comes after last year’s record ridership of 25.8 million.
According to Amtrak’s research and surveys of its passengers “around half the reason for the increase is the higher fuel prices for car travel,” Magliari said.
Amtrak expects people to continue choosing train travel over driving in increasing numbers throughout the summer, Magliari said.
