Labor Day Travel Down Slightly, Says LA Auto Club

    LOS ANGELES--Aug. 28, 2002--Continued concerns about the economy will mean fewer travelers on the road and in the air this Labor Day weekend, according to the Automobile Club of Southern California.
    More than 4.63 million Californians -- 2.88 million of them from Southern California -- are expected to fly, drive or ride to holiday destinations this weekend, the Auto Club estimates. Last year, 4.69 million Californians and 2.91 million Southern Californians, traveled over the holiday. Those figures reflect an expected 1 percent decrease in travel.
    Nationally, about 32.7 million travelers plan to take a trip 50 miles or more from home this Labor Day holiday, down slightly from the 33 million estimated to have traveled last year.
    Travel projections show just a slight decrease -- 0.6 percent -- expected in the number of car trips and a 6 percent decline in air travel for this weekend compared with last year, said Diana Meinhold, the Auto Club's vice president for travel. However, travel by all other means -- including cruise, bus and train -- is expected to be up 7 percent this weekend compared with last year.
    "This could reflect some of the great cruise bargains that have been available all year," Meinhold said.
    Locally, the most popular destinations for Southern Californians, according to an Auto Club survey of travel agents, are:

1.  Central California Coast (Santa Barbara, Solvang, Pismo Beach)
2.  San Diego
3.  Las Vegas
4.  San Francisco
5.  Grand Canyon, Ariz.

    Gas prices have remained relatively stable all summer and are currently averaging $1.636 statewide, $1.629 in Los Angeles and $1.66 in San Diego. That's about 5 cents to 10 cents higher than at this time last year.
    The Auto Club advises motorists to plan their routes by calling the California Highway Information Number at 800/427-7623 for interstate and state route lane closures and highway closures. The information is updated hourly.
    The Automobile Club of Southern California, the largest affiliate of the AAA, has been serving members since 1900. Today, the Auto Club's members benefit by roadside assistance, insurance products and services, travel agency, financial products, automotive pricing, buying and financing programs, automotive testing and analysis, trip planning services and highway and transportation safety programs.
    Information about these products and services is available on the Auto Club's Web site at www.aaa-calif.com.