33 million Americans plan to travel over Labor Day

Americans plan to hit the road this Labor Day weekend despite rising gas prices.

Thirty-three million people will travel 50 miles or more, a 2.9 percent increase from last year, according to a report, a federation of auto clubs that sell vacations and insurance and lobby on behalf of limo service owners. That’s the highest level of travel for Labor Day since the start of the recession in late 2007.

A gallon of gas now costs an average of $3.72. That’s up about 40 cents from July 1, although still down 22 cents from the peak reached in early April. Experts say gas could rise to around $3.75 per gallon by the holiday weekend.

The overwhelming majority of travelers — 85 percent — plan to drive to their destination. Once there, they will find hotel rooms costing 4 percent to 6 percent higher than last year.

Families planning to get away plan to spend $749, according to an economic model done. That figure is up from $702 last year.

“In the absence of strong economic growth that might fuel a significant boost in travel volume, it is an encouraging sign that Americans continue to prioritize travel,” said in a statement. “Travel is still within America’s discretionary spending budget.”

Of those who plan to travel, 66 percent said their current financial situation would not negatively impact their Labor Day holiday weekend travel plans, 21 percent said they will cut costs in other parts of their budget, 9 percent will shorten their trip, and 4 percent will cut transportation costs.

A Visitors Guide to Washington Transportation

Washington is a well connected city, and offer options of travel by land (by road or rail), over water or by air, there are plenty of choices to get around in Washington State, from the conventional to the anomalous: buses, trains, monorail and ferries. As a first time visitor, most convenient form of transportation is hired taxi or sedan service. Taxi's are cheap, popular and hassle free mode of transportation in Washington.

Taxi Cabs

Throughout the Capital Region's urban center's, taxis are most convenient & popular form of transportation. Taxis can generally be hailed on the street, although it is a good idea to bring along the number of a local taxi company if visiting a more remote neighborhood. Tipping taxi drivers is customary throughout the country and highly appreciated.
 

Car Rental

Although often unnecessary in urban areas like Washington or Baltimore, rental cars are an ideal way to explore the city and neighborhoods. In case you want to enjoy scenic byways, car rental is your best option. Cars with built-in GPS systems are available with many rental agencies for an additional charge. Information on car rental companies is available on local yellow pages.
 

Rail

Rail service is available throughout the Capital Region and beyond on the nationwide Amtrak system. With its hub at Washington, DC's Union Station, Amtrak high speed Acela service provides multiple daily connections to Baltimore, Wilmington, Philadelphia, New York and Boston. Within the Capital Region itself, Amtrak offers "The Carolinian," which serves Baltimore, BWI Airport, Washington, DC and the cities of Alexandria, Fredericka, Richmond and Peters-burg in Virginia; "The Crescent," which offers transportation between Baltimore, Washington, DC and the cities of Alexandria, Manassas, Culpeper, Charlottesville, Lynchburg and Danville in Virginia; and the "Northeast Regional," offering service to Baltimore, BWI Airport, Washington, DC, Alexandria, Fredericksburg, Richmond and Williamsburg, terminating in Newport News, Virginia. A new line now offers service to Lynchburg, Virginia as well.