AAA: Fewer Nevadans to travel over holiday weekend

RENO " Record high gas prices will keep some Nevadans home over the upcoming Memorial Day weekend, according to a new survey.

More than 235,000 Nevadans plan to travel 50 miles or more during the long weekend, a decrease of 0.1 percent from 2007, according to a travel survey released Monday by AAA Nevada.

"Record setting gas prices appear to be playing a big part in the plans of travelers this Memorial Day holiday weekend," said AAA spokesman Michael Geeser.

"What shouldn't be forgotten is the fact that a number of businesses large and small across the country depend on summer leisure travelers for a large portion of their annual income.

"If higher gas prices continue, it could have a significant impact on travel-dependent companies throughout Nevada this summer," he said.

Retail gas and diesel prices reached new records Monday, with the national average hitting $3.79 for a gallon of regular gas and $4.52 for diesel, AAA said.

About 190,000 Nevadans said they will drive to their weekend destinations, a 0.1 percent drop from last year, AAA said.

Those who plan to fly fell 0.2 percent to 35,000, while nearly 12,000 said they plan to travel by train, boat, bus or rental car.

Nationwide, 37.9 million Americans said they plan to travel this weekend. But according to AAA, many said they will stay closer to home, cut their trips to fewer days and stay and eat at less expensive hotels and restaurants.