More Traffic Expected this Memorial Day Weekend

Roads will be slightly more crowded this Memorial Day weekend and people will be paying a little extra to travel on them, according to a recent study.

The California State Automobile Association estimates 4.2 million Californians will travel more than 50 miles this holiday weekend - a 1.5-percent increase from a year ago.

Of those leaving home, more than 3.5 million will drive — a 1.6-percent increase despite higher gasoline prices.

Another 390,000 are expected to fly, which is a decrease of 5.2 percent despite the fact that air fares are down 7 percent compared to a year ago.

An estimated 265,000 will travel by other means, including train, bus and boat. That's a 1.9-percent increase.

Average trip: $750; average cost: $800

CSAA officials estimate the average road trip will be 750 miles. A family of four can expect to pay an average of $800 for their weekend journey.

“High debt burdens, gasoline prices, and uncertainties regarding the strength of the current economic recovery have not deterred Californians from holiday travel,” said AAA Northern California spokesperson, Cynthia Harris.

But, Harris added, “many consumers intend to cut back on the distance they travel, as well on entertainment expenses, to compensate for reduced travel budgets."

Gas is up 20 cents since last year, 14 cents since last month

In the Vallejo-Fairfield-Napa area, the average price right now for a gallon of unleaded regular gasoline is $4.27. That's up 19 cents from a year ago and more than 13 cents from a month ago, according to Triple A's gas price website.

The average is higher in the city of Napa: According to gasbuddy.com, drivers here are paying at least $4.29 and as much as $4.39 for a gallon of regular.

Have higher gas prices made you rethink a road trip over this three-day weekend? Let us know in the comments section, and if you have any good "staycation" ideas for those of us who can't travel, your suggestions are welcome there as well.

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