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Fewer Memorial Day travelers expected for first time in years
By Michelle Koetters
mkoetters@pantagraph.com
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BLOOMINGTON -- Fewer Americans expect to travel for the upcoming Memorial Day weekend, the first holiday travel decrease in five years. | Find the best gas prices in the area | Contest: When will gas hit $4 in Central Illinois? | Wednesday's jump at Twin City pumps

About 37.87 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home this holiday, a decrease of nearly 360,000 travelers, or .9 percent, from last year’s total of 38.23 million, according to a AAA-Chicago report released Thursday. The numbers represent the first decrease since 2002.

“People are opting to do things closer to home,” said spokeswoman Nicole Niemi.

Record gas prices likely were the determining factor for families who chose not to travel this year, Niemi said. The most recent spikes — typically to as high as $3.96 in the Twin Cities — within the past two weeks would not have impacted people’s travel plans, but the fact that fuel prices have sustained their higher-than-usual level since the start of the year has made a difference, she said.

“It’s been building. … People anticipated they would be higher and changed some plans,” Niemi said.

Nearly 31.7 million Americans expect to travel by automobile, a 1 percent decrease from about 32 million people who drove a year ago, AAA reported. Almost 4.35 million intend to fly, down from 4.37 million last year. About 1.8 million intend to travel by train, bus or other mode of transportation, compared to 1.9 million a year ago.

In Illinois, more than 1.5 million people will travel for the holiday weekend. Of those, nearly 1.2 million will drive and 186,500 will fly. The rest will take some other mode of transportation.

This story will be updated.

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The price of regular gasoline hangs just below $4 a gallon at the BP station on South Main Street in Bloomington on Thursday. (The Pantagraph/David Proeber)
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Reader comments on this story - 8 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

landlord wrote on May 16, 2008 6:47 AM:

" Maybe we can observe what the day is really about- remembering people who have served. Go to the parade and the service at the Pavillion afterwards. Go to the gravesites of any family members who have served and put out a flag. "

johnd wrote on May 15, 2008 7:44 PM:

" I have heard this every year for the last 5 years. "

newshound wrote on May 15, 2008 6:43 PM:

" Where do these people come up with these figures? I dont recall taking no survey asking me what Im doing this memorial day weekend or what kind of transportation I am taking.... "

wanderwls wrote on May 15, 2008 3:23 PM:

" I figure the price per gallon will hit $4 per gallon whichever week it's State Farm payday. Nobody will ever convince me that stations don't up the cost a few cents when that day rolls around. "

joe wrote on May 15, 2008 3:07 PM:

" slw, let me tell you something. I agree. My in-laws live in southern illinois and we live up here in Naperville. We are always the ones going down there and they never come up here. I have a sister in law that lives in Florida, and for some reason, they manage to still make it down there to see her. Summer of 06 and coming up next month. And she has come back home (Southern IL) this past christmas and in april for one of our nieces B-Day Party, and she plans to come back in august. Must be nice to have money to do this, despite working in the foods industry and driving a gas guzzling jeep. This is totally not fair. They said that they would come up and visit in September, but by then it will be to cold to do anything fun outdoors. I can't believe they would scrimp and save to go to Florida and not make any effort to come up and see us. Uhgg!!!!!! "

BNHuman wrote on May 15, 2008 2:18 PM:

" Where are the lower gas prices that Pelosi promised? "

slw wrote on May 15, 2008 1:32 PM:

" We're not going anywhere this year. We received a bunch of grief from family. By the time we'd get to our destination, we wouldn't be able to afford to have any fun. If they really want to see us, they can visit us for once. I'm actually looking forward to spending a summer at home. By the time you get home from vacation, you need a vacation to recover from the vacation. "

Cthulhu wrote on May 15, 2008 1:04 PM:

" Build more nuclear plants.
Add more refineries.
Uncap the oil wells.
Drill ANWR. "
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