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The day before Memorial Day weekend is traditionally for people to hit the road. Travel experts say this summer could be one for the record books.
AAA officials say this is expected to be the third busiest Memorial Day weekend since 2000, when they started tracking holiday travel.
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They are predicting 42.3 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home. That's 2.7 million more than last year and is a sign of what's to come during the summer months - especially at the airports.
They say more Americans are planning trips and booking them earlier, despite inflation.
Nearly 3.4 million travelers are expected to fly to their destinations this Memorial Day, that's an increase of 11% over last year.
"Despite the fact that airfares are 40% higher than last year, international travel bookings, according to our travel agency, are up 250%," says AAA's Robert Sinclair.
Travel by trains and busses is up from last year as well.
But most travelers will be driving this weekend. AAA says 37.1 million Americans will drive to their destinations and that's an increase of more than 2 million from last year.
Sinclair warns they're anticipating 483,000 breakdowns nationwide between Thursday and Monday - and that's just their members alone. "You have to be ready when you hit the road - flat tires, dead batteries are going to be the biggest problems for this holiday, so take care of those things. Being by the side of the road is certainly inconvenient but it's also very dangerous."
The busiest time on the roads Monday will be between noon and 3.
If you're looking for a cheaper place to fill up on your way out, here are some of lowest prices on fuel that News 12 found on Gas Buddy:
Power 1 on South Central Avenue in Hartsdale - $3.39 a gallon.
Citgo on Route 59 West in Nanuet - $3.29.
Mobil on State Route 9 in Wappinger Falls over in Dutchess - - $3.29.
AAA's Robert Sinclair talks about the increase in air travel
AAA's Robert Sinclair talks gas prices
