Jun 30, 2020

Summer travel down because of the pandemic, AAA says

Posted Jun 30, 2020 11:35 AM

COVID-19 is taking its toll on summer travel.

"We're projecting that Americans will take 700 million trips from July through September," said Shawn Steward with AAA Kansas. "That number is down nearly 15% compared to last summer and is the first decline in summer travel since 2009."

Travelers will be getting in their cars if they do go anywhere.

"That will account for 97% of vacations," Steward said. "Car trips will also see the smallest decrease in travel volume of just 3% year over year," Steward said.

The share of travelers making plans 48 hours to 7 days before departure – a sign that people are arranging last-minute trips – is significantly higher than normal.

"Were it not for the pandemic, AAA would be projecting 857 million trips during the third quarter, which would be a 3.6% increase over last year," Steward said.

Kansas has had the fourth largest monthly increase in gas prices during June.