Gas Prices Won’t Stop Fall Travel

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Remember the summer of 2008, when gas prices hit $4 a gallon and people claimed they were going to give up driving and start biking or riding horses to work?

It seems people don’t really care anymore. At least not enough to affect their travel plans, a new survey says.

Travel site TripAdvisor asked more than 1,400 people about their Labor Day and fall getaways – with 85 percent saying they plan to travel, and 84 percent insisting “rising gas prices will not affect their fall travel plans.” Other findings…

  • Bigger spending – Most expect to spend the same (42 percent) or more (34 percent) on travel compared to last year.
  • More fun – 61 percent are planning multiple leisure trips.
  • Most driving – 70 percent will use a car to get to their destinations, although 13 percent are taking international trips.
  • Distance caps – Gas prices do have some effect, even if they don’t cancel plans: “27 percent are willing to drive 100-200 miles, 21 percent will go 200-300 miles, and 16 percent plan to drive over 500 miles,” the survey says.

Top activities for fall include checking out the colorful leaves (39 percent), wine tasting (26 percent), fall fairs and festivals (22 percent), and homecoming games (20 percent).

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