Valdosta, GA- AAA Travel projects 34.1 million Americans will journey 50 miles or more from home during the Labor Day holiday, a 4.2 percent increase from the 32.7 million people who traveled last year. The anticipated increase in holiday travel is predominantly due to increased consumer spending and the improving housing market. The total number of holiday travelers is expected to reach a new post-recession high. The Labor Day holiday travel period is defined as Thursday, August 29 to Monday, September 2.

“Although this summer’s holiday travel numbers were pretty lackluster compared to last year, Labor Day travel is forecast to end the summer with a bang,” said Jessica Brady, spokeswoman, AAA Travel, The Auto Club Group.  “More people are forecast to travel this Labor Day weekend since the post-recession high of 45 million in 2008.”

Nearly 920,000 Georgians are expected to hit the road for the final holiday of the summer, compared to nearly 1.7 million Floridians.

The largest share of travelers (46%) will depart on August 30 and the largest share will return on Monday (43%). Eighty-five percent intend to return from their Labor Day trip on Monday, Tuesday, or later.