AAA Predicting Fewer Labor Day Holiday Travelers

UNDATED -- More Americans will travel by car this Labor Day weekend, but fewer will fly according to AAA.

AAA is predicting a 2.4-percent drop in the number of Americans traveling this Labor Day holiday compared to a year ago saying the economic uncertainty is the main reason behind the lower numbers. A drop in discretionary income is also a big factor.

AAA says more people will travel by car this year, anticipating about 27.3-million people will take to the nation's roadways. It makes up 87-percent of all of the holiday travelers and is an increase of about a half-percent over 2010.

Rising airfare prices are the main reason for the drop in airline travel.

AAA says the average travel distance will be down slightly, with average spending mostly unchanged. Travelers will experience increases in hotel rates and decreases in rental car rates.

AAA says if gas prices drop significantly, there could be a late surge of holiday travelers.