About 2.5 million people in the Mountain West region of the United States plan on traveling more than 50 miles this upcoming Memorial Day weekend - a 7.6 percent increase over last year, according to the AAA.
"Despite a challenging economy, travel is expected to rebound for this Memorial Day weekend," said AAA spokesman Michael Geeser. "With a hint of renewed economic optimism, the upcoming holiday weekend will likely have Mountain West residents making up for their previously delayed travel plans."
Driving remains the most popular mode of transportation for the two million travelers who plan to use their cars this weekend, amounting to an expected 8 percent increase compared to Memorial Day weekend last year, according to the AAA and IHS Global Insight, an economic research firm.
More than 200,000 people in the Mountain West plan on traveling by air, a 4.7 percent increase compared to 2009, and another 140,000 plan on traveling by other modes of transportation, such as rail, bus and watercraft, representing a 5.4 percent increase over 2009.
Nationwide, the AAA said it expects 32 million Americans to travel more than 50 miles this upcoming weekend, a 5.4 percent increase over last year.
The AAA also said hotel prices and airline ticket prices are about where they were a year ago at $141.60 per night and $176 per
ticket.
The average family of four in the Mountain West is expected to spend an average of $993 over the weekend.
As for most popular activity for this upcoming weekend? Barbecues with family and friends.