AAA: More people will hit the road this Labor Day weekend

DENVER (AP) — More Americans will get away for the Labor Day weekend this year, yet stick closer to home as they try to get the most for their money, AAA said today.

The auto club expects 34.4 million people to travel at least 50 miles from home between Sept. 2 and Sept. 6. That's up nearly 10 percent from 2009 — one of the lowest Labor Day volumes in AAA's record keeping history — and below the 45 million who traveled during the Labor Day weekend in 2008.

It's an indication that there is some pent-up demand for trips, but people are watching their budgets carefully as they worry about the sluggish economy, AAA Travel Services Director Glen MacDonell said.

"We're a little concerned on the fall and whether or not people will start to pull back on their wallets," he said. "This holiday, again relatively to last year, is up."