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Jim Poulin/Phoenix Business Journal
AAA is predicting that travel over the year-end holidays will increase.
Nearly 2 million Arizonans will be traveling for the year-end holidays this month, according to AAA Arizona, which released its annual forecast today.
Marking a 2.9 percent increase over last year, 1.9 million Arizonans will travel for the December holidays.
Nationwide, a record number of Americans - 98.6 million - are expected to journey away from home for the holiday period. That marks a 4 percent increase over last year.
The ever-improving economy and consumer confidence are the two key factors playing a part in the increased travel this season, said Amy Moreno, AAA Arizona senior travel manager.
Lower gas prices also are making travelers feel extra jolly this year. With Arizona's statewide average of $2.48 a gallon - the lowest in five years - travelers' stockings are ring-ting-jingling with a little extra cash.
The most popular mode of travel will be by car, with nearly 90 percent of traveling Arizonans, or approximately 1.7 million, celebrating by hopping into a vehicle and driving to their holiday destination. That is a 3 percent increase from 2013.
Although, Santa might want to be on the lookout in the skies, as approximately 137,000 Arizonans will fly this holiday season, marking a 0.2 percent bump over last year.
The year-end holiday travel period is the longest one of the year, stretching from Dec. 23 through Jan. 4.
