Illinois/Indiana air, auto travelers on the rise due to economy and low gas prices
Memorial Day Travel 2015
In Illinois, 1.9 million people will be traveling for the holiday weekend, which is a 4.7 increase from 2014. Of those travelers, 1.7 million will be driving (up 5.3 percent from 2014) and 97,000 will be flying to their destination (a 2.4 percent increase from 2014). Gas prices across Illinois are on average $2.71, down substantially from $3.84 in 2014.
In Indiana, 824,000 people are expected to travel, which is a 5.4 percent increase from 2014. Of those, 747,000 are expected to travel by auto (5.9 percent increase) and about 43,000 by air (3 percent increase). In Indiana, gas prices are on average $2.50 per gallon, down from $3.63 this time last year. The average price nationally for gas is $2.64.
Highlights from 2015 Memorial Day Travel Forecast include:
- The 2015 Memorial Day forecast is expected to mark the highest travel volume for the holiday in 10 years, since 2005.
- Illinois and Indiana drivers will likely pay the lowest Memorial Day gas prices in at least five years. AAA estimates that U.S. households have spent about $400 less on gasoline, due to lower prices so far this year, in comparison to the same period in 2014.
- The 4.7 percent increase over Memorial Day 2014 is the highest forecast growth rate for any of the holidays tracked by AAA since Independence Day 2012.
- More than 88 percent of travelers (33 million) will travel by automobile, an increase of 5.3 percent over last Memorial Day.
- Holiday air travel is expected to increase 2.5 percent to 2.6 million leisure travelers.
- Travel by other modes of transportation including cruises, trains and buses, is expected to decrease 3.6 percent this Memorial Day, to 1.64 million.
- Travelers will encounter higher average daily car rental and lodging costs this year, while airfares are down slightly compared to Memorial Day 2014.
Tips for drivers
More than 88 percent (33 million) of holiday travelers will drive to their destination, a 5.3 percent increase from 2014. AAA expects to rescue nearly 350,000 motorists at the roadside this Memorial Day weekend, with the primary reasons being dead batteries, flat tires and lockouts. AAA recommends motorists inspect their vehicle and check battery and tire condition before heading out on a holiday getaway. Members can download the AAA mobile app (AAA.com/mobile), visit AAA.com or call 1-800-AAA-HELP to request roadside assistance in the event of a breakdown.
Hotel and car rental rates increase, airfares fall slightly
According to AAA’s Leisure Travel Index, the average daily car rental rate this Memorial Day is $19 higher than last year. The average nightly stay in a Two Diamond hotel is 16 percent higher this year at $144, while Three Diamond hotels will cost seven percent more, averaging $182. Average airfares for the top 40 domestic flight routes are two percent cheaper this year, falling to $222.
AAA’s projections are based on economic forecasting and research by IHS Global Insight. The Colorado-based business information provider teamed with AAA in 2009 to jointly analyze travel trends during major holidays. AAA has been reporting on holiday travel trends for more than two decades. The complete AAA/IHS Global Insight 2015 Memorial Day Travel Forecast can be found here.
As North America’s largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides more than 55 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. AAA clubs can be visited on the Internet at AAA.com. For more information about AAA Travel, visit AAA.com/Travel.
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