Labor Day weekend travel predicted to surpass 2008 record
LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- More than 2.48 million Southern Californians are expected to travel this Labor Day weekend, making it the busiest Labor Day to travel since 2008, according to the Automobile Club of Southern California.
The projected number is a 1.6 percent increase in travel from Labor Day last year. About 80 percent of travelers will be hitting the road, while air travel is expected to increase by less than 1 percent, AAA said. The rest will get to their destinations by bus, train, cruise ship or other transportation means.
In addition, 3.99 million people statewide will be heading out of town. Popular destinations include San Diego, San Francisco, Las Vegas, California's Central Coast and the Grand Canyon, AAA said.
In 2008, 3.2 million Southern Californians and 5.2 million Californians traveled for the Labor Day weekend.
There is good news for all those drivers: Prices at the pump dropped 30 cents a gallon in nearly two months.
The Auto Club says in the L.A./Long Beach area, drivers will pay an average of $3.84 a gallon this weekend. In Orange County, gas is $3.81 a gallon. Drivers in Riverside and San Bernardino counties will pay $3.80 a gallon, and prices are $3.83 a gallon in Ventura County.
VIDEO: Labor Day weekend gas prices take a dip
AAA says drivers can beat the average prices for gas by simply shopping around.
"You do want to be looking for those lower gas prices in the $3.50 to $3.60 range, those are really good prices right now in most regions," said Marie Montgomery with the Auto Club of California. "There's a big difference right now between the highest prices and the lowest prices at gas stations, so you do really want to shop around, make sure that you don't overpay for gas."
Labor Day weekend is a maximum enforcement weekend. Law enforcement agencies will be out on patrol.
Traveling this holiday weekend? Check current traffic conditions here
City News Service contributed to this report.
