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WASHINGTON (AP) — The lowest gas prices in more than a decade could make this Memorial Day one of the busiest ever on the roads.
AAA projects some 38 million people will travel 50 miles or more over the holiday weekend. That's about 700,000 more than last year and the most since 2005. And the auto club says the overwhelming majority of those travelers — 89 percent — plan to go by car.
The average price for a gallon of regular is a $2.30 nationwide, about 34 cents less than a year ago, and AAA estimates that Americans have saved more than $15 billion on gas so far this year.
AAA also cites rising personal income and a strong labor market as factors encouraging Americans to head to the beaches, mountains and other destinations this Memorial Day weekend.
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030-v-32-(Ben Thomas, AP correspondent, with AAA spokesperson Tamra Johnson)--AAA says this could be one of the busiest Memorial Day weekends on record, and they have some suggestions for making your road trip as safe and hassle free as possible. AP correspondent Ben Thomas reports. (26 May 2016)
<<CUT *030 (05/26/16)££ 00:32
031-a-12-(Tamra Johnson, spokesperson, AAA, in AP interview)-"Memorial Day weekend"-AAA's Tamra Johnson says low gas prices and the overall health of the economy are encouraging people to travel this Memorial Day. (26 May 2016)
<<CUT *031 (05/26/16)££ 00:12 "Memorial Day weekend"
032-a-13-(Tamra Johnson, spokesperson, AAA, in AP interview)-"pack your patience"-AAA's Tamra Johnson says the peak times on the roads Memorial Day weekend are usually Friday and Monday afternoons. ((longer version of cut used in wrap)) (26 May 2016)
<<CUT *032 (05/26/16)££ 00:13 "pack your patience"
033-a-15-(Tamra Johnson, spokesperson, AAA, in AP interview)-"but it's dangerous"-AAA's Tamra Johnson says there are a number things drivers can do to make their trips safer this Memorial Day. ((longer version of cut used in wrap)) (26 May 2016)
<<CUT *033 (05/26/16)££ 00:15 "but it's dangerous"
034-a-09-(Tamra Johnson, spokesperson, AAA, in AP interview)-"on the road"-AAA's Tamra Johnson says drivers should prepare before heading out on a long road trip this Memorial Day. (26 May 2016)
<<CUT *034 (05/26/16)££ 00:09 "on the road"
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