RENO - A record number of Nevadans are expected to travel over the year-end holidays, thanks in part to the calendar, according to a travel industry group.
With Christmas and New Year's Day falling on back-to-back weekends, more people are expected take advantage of the time off to travel, AAA Nevada said.
The organization estimates more than 510,000 Nevadans will travel 50 miles or more from home over the holiday period.
About 84 percent, or 430,000, will drive to their destinations. Fifteen percent, or about 80,000 people, will fly. The rest will take other transportation like trains and buses.
"This year is one of those holiday periods where Christmas and New Year's Day fall on Saturdays," said AAA Nevada spokesman Michael Geeser.
"What that means is people have more time to get away since many people take off the Friday before the holidays.
"From travel estimates we're seeing, people are taking advantage of that extra day off," he said.
Nationally, AAA estimates 62.7 million people will travel over the holidays.
Holiday motorists also will benefit from declining gasoline prices, AAA said. The average price for a gallon of self-serve unleaded in Nevada was around $2, though some areas report prices even lower.
Other travel costs also are down from a year ago. Airfares are down 6 percent, due partly to expanded service by discount carries, AAA said.