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Low fuel costs drive a record-breaking number of Memorial Day travelers this weekend

Posted at 4:33 PM, May 22, 2015
and last updated 2015-05-22 16:33:20-04

Holiday travelers won't be alone on the highways this holiday weekend.

AAApredicts this Memorial Day weekend will be the busiest for travelers in a decade.

Dean Dowson is one of an estimated 37 million people who plan on leaving town.

"This is the start of it. We have about 5.5 hours," said Dowson.

Gas prices are at a 5-year low, and the majority of vacationers will travel by car. The national average is only $2.37 per gallon, but the cost of gas isn't important to some.

Don Sommer and his group are heading to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Angel Fire, New Mexico.

"When you ride a motorcycle, it doesn't really matter. It doesn't use much gas," said Don Sommer.

It's not just roads that will be crowded during Memorial Day weekend. Senior Vice President with Airlines for America, Jean Medina, says Friday is the third busiest day for flying.

"We encourage people to get to the airport early and be patient," said Medina. "We have a lot of people traveling, but the good news is airplane employees are there and waiting to help you."

Pack your patience for the entire summer. Airlines for America expects a 4.5 percent increase in air travel. That translates to 104,000 more travelers per day.

"While 104,000 people are going to be flying everyday, airlines are adding 126,000 seats through additional planes, larger planes. So, there's extra space for people who are going to be traveling this summer," said Medina.

Travel by cruises, busses and is expected to decrease 3.4 percent, to 1.6 million.