Fewer Arizonans to travel this Memorial Day

May 24, 2013

Fewer Arizonans will be traveling this holiday weekend than last year. But, of those who do, more will get there by car. And, as KJZZ’s Mark Brodie reports, that could be good news for the state’s economy.

MARK BRODIE: AAA Arizona attributes much of the slight drop in Memorial Day travel this year to a large drop in air travelers. But, the group says the decrease would have been bigger if not for an increase in auto travelers. Those are measured as people heading at least 50 miles from home, and AAA Arizona’s Michelle Donati says at least some of them will travel within Arizona.

MICHELLE DONATI: Whether they’re staying in-state or if they’re traveling to California, which is one of the most popular destinations for Arizonans, they will likely be spending more money in Arizona, because even if you’re driving to California, for example, you’re probably gonna have to stop and fill up along the way.

BRODIE: Donati says it could also be that people are driving to Tucson or Flagstaff. And, for those people taking to the roads this weekend, they’ll see gas prices that are about 30 cents cheaper than last Memorial Day.