Memorial Day Travel Moves Forward, Despite Recession

May 23, 2009— -- Despite the hard economic times, the out of work and overworked are stubbornly keeping up a Memorial Day tradition -- going someplace else.

While stopped at a gas station in Woodbridge, N.J., Kevin Wilson explained why he and his family ventured on a 225-mile road trip to Lancaster, Penn.

"I'm working two jobs, so that's 60 hours a week; my wife is working 12-hour shifts and ... you need a break," Kevin Wilson told ABC's "Good Morning America."

The Wilsons will be among the estimated 32.4 million people traveling this weekend, according to the American Automobile Association (AAA).

That number sounds impressive, but the AAA says travel has virtually flat lined, not increasing a bit this year. Usual Memorial Day travel dropped off by nearly 10 percent as the recession creeped up in 2007.

This year's Memorial Day travel numbers are up just 1.5 percent over last year.

"While that is relatively flat, in this economic environment, flat is the new up," said AAA spokesman Troy Green.

Gas prices are down nearly a $1.50 compared to last year, making the road trip that much more monetarily appealing than a flight or a "staycation."

The AAA predicts nearly 83 percent of people on the move this weekend are going by car, not plane. But Wilson noticed another Memorial Day tradition -- a coincidental price hike in gas prices.

"I can see during the holidays they're pushing the price up a bit, but it's nowhere near $4," said Wilson.

Apparently other travelers feel the same way. The AAA reports that air travel will be down 1 percent from last year.

Rental cars, however, have seen a boost. Anwar Ismael, spokesperson for Enterprise, said, "We've seen about a 6 percent increase, and it's been a very strong start to the summer weekend."