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3 On Your Side: Labor Day Weekend Travel

By Jim Donovan

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Do you plan on getting out of town for the long Labor Day weekend?  Well you're not alone. If you're traveling, 3 On Your Side consumer reporter Jim Donovan takes a look at what you can expect.

The summer travel season is expected to end on a high note.

"We're expecting big things this labor day, some 35.5 million Americans are going to take to the roads and to the air, and that's huge for our economy," said Roger Dow, with U.S. Travel Association.

The U.S. Travel Association estimates Labor Day travel will generate 13.5 billion dollars in spending. An increase of two percent over last year, even with the recent dive in gas prices.

Gas prices are nearly a dollar lower than this time last year, and the lowest prices that drivers haven't seen around Labor Days since 2004.

Drivers will spend an average of $270 on their long weekend road trips.

More than 14.2 million people are expected to fly around the holiday.  That's up three percent from last year

Airfares have also eased as well, but demand remains steady, so consumers may not find those last-minute bargains they might be looking for.

The U.S. Travel Association estimates Labor Day air travelers will spend just under $1,100 on average.

"We're seeing consumer want to spend. They've been cooped up for a long time with the economy not being as well the last couple of years. That's improving. They're spending money," said Dow.

But traveling isn't for everyone.  According to AAA Mid-Atlantic, 68 percent will spend the weekend going to cookouts or simply relaxing.  And roughly 15 percent of Mid-Atlantic residents are expected to head to the shore.

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