First drop in Memorial Day travel since 9/11 expected

There are expected to be fewer residents in the Washington area going on trips this Memorial Day weekend, as holiday travel is forecast to fall for the first time since 11 September 2001.

AAA Mid-Atlantic expects that 12% of residents in the Washington area will be travelling 50 miles and above from home over the weekend; around 1% less than the previous year.

AAA spokesperson John Townsend said, "The drop is not surprising, given the price of gasoline. It's proof positive that $4 a gallon is a psychological and financial barrier".

The drop in travel marks a reversal. Townsend added, "Since 9/11, travel had been trending upward," and had grown steadily since the attacks.

Diesel currently sells at an average of $4.52 per gallon across the country, similar to mid-grade and premium-grade fuels. Townsend added that self-serve regular, the benchmark used by AAA, has reached the $4 mark in Connecticut and Alaska.

Passenger volume at Baltimore-Washington International Marshall Airport is predicted to drop by 3.5% over the weekend compared to last year, said airport spokesperson Jonathan Dean.

Airfares have risen about 8%, AAA Mid-Atlantic said. Airlines are suffering from the rise in prices of jet fuel, and several are compensating by adding fees and charging for additional baggage.

Though more Americans are expected to remain at home for Memorial Day this year, the holiday is still a major time for travel. AAA said that over 12% of Americans would celebrate away from their homes.