AAA: More Americans To Travel For Labor Day

CHICAGO (CBS) -- It might be a bit more crowded on the roads and at the airport during the upcoming Labor Day weekend, when compared to last year.

WBBM Newsradio's Bernie Tafoya reports, according to an estimate from the AAA motor club, more people will be taking trips of 50 miles or more this Labor Day than any similar weekend since 2008.

The driver advocacy group estimated more than 34.7 million Americans would be taking trips for a last gasp of summer. An estimated1.85 million Illinois residents were expected to take Labor Day weekend trips.

Spokeswoman Heather Hunter said many people won't be holding back on using their credit cards to pay for their vacation.

"Spending is outpacing the growth of income, so many people are starting to take on debt again, where they've been resistant the past few years," she said.

The AAA said airfares have gone up 2 percent since last year, while car rental costs are about the same.