AAA: Cheap gas = more travelers on Memorial Day

It looks like the Great American Road Trip is back again.

Projections by AAA indicate a 1.5 percent increase in the number of motorists pulling out of the driveway or heading to the airport this Memorial Day weekend compared to 2008. The forecast for this year is 32.4 million Americans taking a trip that's 50 miles or more versus 31.9 million last year.

The slight uptick is due to reasonable fuel costs. A year ago, consumers were paying $3.89 for a gallon of regular gas compared to an average $2.42 per gallon in the Chicago region currently. The national average is $2.25.

Unlike the fuel price fluctuations of 2008, now the price is remaining "relatively stable, allowing people to plan slightly in advance," AAA Chicago spokeswoman Nicole Niemi said.

AAA travel agents report that popular destinations for local residents are the Wisconsin Dells and Springfield to see historical sites and the new Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum.

In Illinois, about 1.8 million people are expected to travel over the holiday weekend, with 1.5 million driving and 99,000 flying.

Almost 60 percent of travelers will be visiting relatives or friends while they vacation, the AAA reported.

Day trips are also expected to be on the rise. In 2008, exorbitant gas prices caused a decrease in family reunions. This time around, the extended family barbecue is back, Niemi said.

"People planned for the worst in 2008, she noted. "Now they're figuring how travel fits into their budgets."