---

Record Crowds Expected on Highways and Skyways Over Labor Day

29 August 1997

Record Crowds Expected on Highways and Skyways Over Labor Day

    SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 29 -- Despite rising gas prices, a record
number of Americans will spend Labor Day weekend 100 miles or more from home,
with Monterey and Disneyland topping popular destinations for northern
Californian motorists, according to AAA.
    Lower airfares will bring crowds of northern California vacationers to the
Southland, Las Vegas and Pacific Northwest cities over the three-day weekend.
    "Airfare wars this summer resulted in higher than normal reservations,
with a lot of last-minute bookings for Labor Day," said Mike Caplin, manager
of travel service operations for the AAA affiliate serving northern
California, Nevada and Utah.
    Motorists are also looking to California's north and central coasts, Lake
Tahoe, Las Vegas, Yosemite, and Southern California theme parks and
attractions for the three-day weekend.
    In California, the average price of self-serve regular unleaded gasoline
was $1.39 a gallon in mid-August, according to a AAA survey. This is up
4.5 cents from mid-July, but down 4 cents from one year ago. Nationwide, gas
prices crept up 3 cents in a month and 1 cent in a year.
    A strong economy is spurring a 3 percent increase in travel nationwide
over last year's Labor Day weekend, according to AAA's survey.
    Of the 34 million Americans traveling, 90 percent will go by automobile,
light truck and recreational vehicles. Nearly 9 percent will fly, while the
remainder will travel by bus, rail or ship.
    Eleven percent of western U.S. residents are expected to travel over the
holiday, which is unchanged from last year's AAA research.
    Families flying together are advised to arrive at the airport two hours
before departure to allow time for parking, security clearance and unexpected
delays.
    AAA offers these tips for traveling with children:

    * Involve children in planning the trip, such as destination and
restaurant selection. The more youngsters feel part of the trip, the more they
and the parents will enjoy the trip.
    * Check with an established travel agent who can recommend specific
destinations and lodgings featuring children's activities and programs. Ask
the agent to make reservations for you, saving you time and money.
    * Buy a few inexpensive items -- small toys, books or snacks -- to be
wrapped in brightly colored paper and given out as treats along the way to
your children.
    * Outfit children in comfortable clothing. Airplanes and air-conditioned
cars tend to be cool, so bring a sweater or jacket for the kids.
    * Bring snacks and favorite toys appropriate for autos and air travel.
Pack a damp cloth for those inevitable spills.
    * When traveling by auto, stop every two hours for a 10-minute break.
Accompany children to restrooms and snack areas. Before hitting the road
again, make sure everyone is buckled up and kids 12 and under are properly
belted and seated in the back.

    The AAA affiliate in northern California, Nevada and Utah serves
3.7 million members with an array of automotive, travel and insurance
services.

SOURCE  California State Automobile Association