School is almost out for summer and 35 percent of Americans are planning to travel 50 miles or more through the remainder of 2016, according to a new AAA survey.
According to AAA Travel, the following are the five most popular vacation options for traveling families throughout 2016:
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69 percent of travelers will hit the road. Drivers this summer should pay the lowest gas prices in 12 years, motivating Americans to drive at record levels. Fifty-five percent of Americans say they are more likely to take a road trip this year due to lower gas prices. Tools such as AAA’s TripTik Travel Planner, in desktop and app versions, can help families find AAA Diamond Rated hotels and restaurants, gas prices and plan fun stops along the way.
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49 percent will visit a National Park. The National Park Service (NPS) celebrates its centennial anniversary in 2016, making it a great year for travelers to discover the parks. Plan on starting a trip through the Grand Canyon around sunrise, as popular parks may reach capacity during peak travel times. To celebrate, NPS is offering fee-free days on April 16-24, Aug. 25-28, Sept. 24 and Nov. 11.
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42 percent of families will visit a theme park. Take a trip to Southern California to explore the most popular theme parks this summer. For families with flexible travel schedules, early May and September are great times to visit theme parks, when travelers can experience lighter crowds, cooler weather and shorter lines. AAA members can experience savings and extra member benefits when visiting theme parks in Southern California. For more information, visit www.AAA.com/SoCal.
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26 percent of families will visit an international destination. Thanks to favorable exchange rates and discounted pricing, many families will plan trips to international destinations this year. The current strength of the dollar makes international travel especially affordable right now and Americans will get more for their money when visiting destinations around the world.
- 16 percent will take a cruise. Cruises offer a variety of activities for all ages, plus children’s programs that give parents a chance to relax and unwind. Cruise Lines International Association forecasts 24 million vacationers will cruise the world’s waterways in 2016, one million more than last year. AAA travel agents can help cruisers identify the cruise line, ship and itinerary that best suit their family.
Before setting out on a family vacation, download the free AAA Mobile app for iPhone, iPad and Android. Travelers can use the app to map a route, find the lowest gas prices, access exclusive member discounts, find more than 58,000 AAA Approved and Diamond Rated hotels and restaurants, request AAA roadside assistance and more.
AAA is a full-service travel agency. For more information, visit www.AAA.com/travel.
