Memorial Day travelers, encouraged by lower gas prices, will spend $12.3 billion over the weekend, about $330 per person, according to the Washington-based U.S. Travel Association.
That’s not only a lot of gallons sipped and hot dogs eaten, but it is likely the highest travelers have ever spent on the flag-waving, three-day holiday.
“Gas prices are low, the economy is getting better, and people have money to spend and places to go,” said U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Roger Dow.
A sign alerts travelers to expect holiday traffic at George Bush Intercontinental Airport on Tuesday in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
The national auto club, AAA, estimates that 37.2 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more, the highest in 10 years, the latest sign that many are pulling out of the decade-long economic slump.
But it might not last. Dow said that the government’s lack of infrastructure spending to repair roads, airports and railroads could dampen future travel.
“Our economy—and therefore our ability to create jobs—won’t continue to see the benefits of these periodic travel spikes unless we fix our surface and air travel systems and keep people moving the way they want,” he said.
U.S. Travel, a trade group that has pushed for greater funding, reports that travel is up nationwide and that some areas are regularly experiencing a holiday-type crush of traffic. They’ve even launched an “I’m Stuck” app making it easy for those held up by traffic or delays to tell their law makers.
“Our research shows that within a decade, the average daily traffic on many of nation’s busiest highways will be equal to Labor Day, traditionally one of the most-driven times of year. There’s similarly bad news for our largest airports, many of which are already experiencing Thanksgiving-like passenger volumes a day or two during the average week,” said Dow in a pre-holiday statement.
He added: “Our roads and skies are nearly busting at the seams, and as the economy improves we’re only going to see the number of travelers increase. With many of our national transportation policies set to expire this year—some within just two short weeks—we encourage policy leaders to look to long-term solutions to address these capacity concerns and support legislation which provides for a sustained and robust infrastructure, keeping travelers on the move and our economy thriving.”
Paul Bedard, the Washington Examiner’s “Washington Secrets” columnist, can be contacted at [email protected].
