Memorial Day Travel by the Numbers

AAA Oklahoma breaks down gas prices, number of travelers, mode of transportation and other statistics compared to Memorial Day, 2010.

NEWS from AAA Oklahoma, May 27, 2011 – Although still more than a dollar above where they were one year ago, gasoline prices have fallen 16 cents per gallon over the last two weeks across Oklahoma. At the same time, auto travel over the long Memorial Day weekend is expected to be a bit stronger than last year in the state but down slightly nationwide, according to AAA.

Here are AAA’s numbers for travel over this year’s Memorial Day holiday weekend compared to Memorial Day of last year.

• Oklahoma gasoline price average today – up $1.08 to $3.68
• U.S. gasoline price average today – up $1.05 to $3.81
• Oklahoma auto travelers – up 0.2% to 499,000
• Oklahoma air travelers – up 12.1% to 88,250
• Total Oklahoma travelers (all modes) – up 3.5% to 591,000
• U.S. auto travelers – down 0.03% to 30.9 million
• U.S. air travelers – up 11.5% to 2.93 million
• Total U.S. travelers (all modes) – up 0.2% to 34.9 million
• Expected distance traveled (national average) – up 27% to 792 miles
• Expected amount spent on trip (national average) – down 14% to $692
• Lowest round-trip airfares (national average) – up 14% to $201
• Average room rate at AAA-rated Three Diamond hotels/motels

(nationwide) – up 5% to $148 per night

• Average room rate at AAA-rated Two Diamond hotels/motels

(nationwide) – up 10% to $109 per night

• Weekend daily car rental rates (national average) – up $1 to $38

Many Oklahomans will be driving to state parks, lakes and metro areas for the holiday, but a number are also expected to be traveling to areas hit by recent tornadoes as relief efforts continue in portions of Oklahoma and in Joplin, Mo.

AAA’s projections are based on national surveys and research conducted by IHS Global Insight of Boston. Gasoline price averages, updated daily, can be found at AAAFuelGaugeReport.com.