BALTIMORE (AP) - Record numbers of Maryland residents are expected to travel for the year-end holidays due in part to lower gas prices and a longer holiday travel window.
AAA Mid-Atlantic says more than 2.1 million Maryland residents are expected to travel at least 50 miles from home for the holidays. That would be a 4.6 percent increase over last year's holiday travel.
AAA says the three key factors driving an increase in travel are stronger consumer confidence, lower gas prices and a longer holiday travel window.
About nine out of 10 residents are expected to travel by car, and 5 percent of residents will likely travel by air.
AAA says this year's projections represent the most holiday travel by Maryland residents since 2001 when the auto club began forecasting state travel.
Virginia
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - More than one-third of Virginians are expected to travel this holiday season.
AAA Mid-Atlantic says more than 2.8 million Virginians will be traveling 50 miles or more from home for the 2014 year-end holiday season that runs from Tuesday until Jan. 4.
That's 3.5 percent more than last year and the highest travel volume for the holiday period in the auto club's records.
Nearly 91 percent of Virginia travelers will celebrate the holidays with a road trip, up more than 4 percent from 2013. More than 151,800 travelers are expected to take to the skies, down less than 1 percent.
The auto club says hotel and car rental rates are expected to rise modestly. However, gas prices in Virginia are down nearly 80 cents from last holiday season.
