Arkansas, U.S. motorists expected to jam highways during Labor Day weekend

Cheaper than expected pump prices could lead to crowded Arkansas highways as recession-weary consumers seek last-minute vacations.

AAA has projected the number of Americans traveling this Labor Day holiday weekend will increase 9.9% from 2009, with approximately 34.4 million travelers taking a trip at least 50 miles away from home.

At the same time, the U.S. average retail price for regular gasoline decreased over four cents to $2.70 per gallon in the last full week of August, according to the Energy Information Administration’s weekly petroleum report.

Traditionally, Labor Day signals the end of the summer vacation-driving season as students go back to school and U.S. refiners switch their fuel mix to winter heating oil. The 2010 Labor Day holiday travel period is defined as Thursday, Sept. 2 to Monday, Sept 6.

"While media reports on the state of the U.S. economy are mixed, many Americans are still interested in taking one more trip as the summer travel season comes to a close," said Glen MacDonell, director, AAA Travel Services. "It is encouraging to see more Americans planning to travel to visit family, friends and exciting vacation destinations."

Trips by automobile are expected to increase in popularity with 91% of travelers, or 31.4 million people, reaching their destination by driving, the AAA report says. This is an increase of 10.3% from last Labor Day when 28.5 million travelers went by motor vehicle.

Two border-area tourism officials are confident their area of the state will capture some of the increased tourism traffic.

“We have not specifically targeted Labor Day with ads, but have continued to pepper the market with our message,” said Maryl Koeth, executive director of the Van Buren Advertising and Promotion Commission. “I anticipate a slight uptick in travelers over the long weekend as most Labor Day vacationers are looking for water and outdoor activities as a fond farewell to summer.”

Claude Legris, executive director of the Fort Smith Convention & Visitors Bureau, said the city has purchased billboards “to encourage east bound traffic” to swing into Fort Smith. He said the move is designed to catch travelers from Texas — the “primary feeder” of tourists for the Fort Smith region.

Leisure air travel is expected to account for just 5% of overall travel with 1.62 million holiday flyers, up 4.6% from one year ago when 1.54 million flew. Trips by other modes, including rail, bus and watercraft, will be the dominant means of travel used by 4% of all travelers.

According to AAA’s fuel gauge report, pump prices in Arkansas’ metropolitan areas range from a low of $2.45 per gallon in Pine Bluff to a high of nearly $2.59 in Texarkana. Retail prices in Fort Smith and Little Rock are averaging about $2.48 per gallon. Travelers heading to Northwest Arkansas will pay about $2.53 per gallon, in line with the overall state average.

Arkansas motorists traveling to neighboring states will see the cheapest prices in Missouri, where pump prices average about $2.47 per gallon. Oklahoma pump prices rank highest at about $2.57 per gallon, while Mississippi, Tennessee, Louisiana and Texas fall in between.

Based on a AAA survey of traveler intentions, the average distance traveled by Americans this Labor Day is expected to be 635 miles, slightly less than one year ago (645 miles). Median spending is expected to be $697 this Labor Day, nearly $50 more than last year when median spending was estimated at $650. Dining (63%); shopping (47%) and visiting with friends and relatives (43%) were named as the three top primary activities by travelers.

Notably, airfares, hotel and rental car rates are expected to increase over the Labor Day holiday compared to last year, AAA says.