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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Rogue Valley pair hope supporters will breathe life into 'Don't Die' ... Mail Tribune 100: Oct. 19, 1915 ... RCC lands $14.6 million job-training grant for low-income students ... Rogue Valley pair hope supporters will breathe life into 'Don't Die' ... Mail Tribune 100: Oct. 19, 1915 ... RCC lands $14.6 million job-training grant for low-income students ... TRAVEL Memorial Day travel expected to hit 10-year high Comment By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Posted May. 22, 2015 at 3:00 PM Updated May 22, 2015 at 3:06 PM By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Posted May. 22, 2015 at 3:00 PM Updated May 22, 2015 at 3:06 PM » Social News AAA Oregon/Idaho says it projects close to 6 million people will travel at least 50 miles from their home over Memorial Day weekend in Oregon and the Pacific Region's other four states — California, Washington, Alaska and Hawaii — an increase of 4.6 percent compared to 2014. AAA Oregon/Idaho reported the increase is also being seen across the U.S., with more than 37.2 million Americans getting away for the long weekend. That's a 4.7 percent increase from 2014's 35.5 million who traveled, a 10-year high for Memorial Day holiday travel. The agency's projections are based on economic forecasting and research done by Colorado-based IHS Global Insight. The Memorial Day holiday travel period runs from Thursday, May 21, to Monday, May 25. Marie Dodds, public affairs director for AAA Oregon/Idaho, said lower gas prices and a stronger job market — compared with 2014 — are the primary reasons for the estimated travel numbers. On Friday, gas prices in Oregon averaged $3.04 a gallon, according to the Oregon Gas Prices website, www.oregongasprices.com . That's 84 cents less than 2014's $3.88 a gallon average in the state. Nationwide, the gas price average is $2.69, a drop of 97 cents from 2014's $3.66 U.S. average. The price drop will benefit most Memorial Day travelers in the Pacific Region, as 5 million travelers, or 84 percent of the region's total, are expected to travel by automobile. However, travelers are also expected to also pay more for lodging and car rentals. Air travel is also expected to see a 2.6 percent uptick in the Pacific Region this year, spurred on by cheaper airfares, AAA officials said. Other modes of transportation such as cruises, trains and buses are expected to drop by 3.6 percent. Top travel destinations in the Pacific Northwest include the Oregon Coast, central Oregon, Crater Lake and Seattle. Reach reporter Ryan Pfeil at 541-776-4468 or [email protected] . Follow him at www.twitter.com/ryanpfeil . By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Posted May. 22, 2015 at 3:00 PM Updated May 22, 2015 at 3:06 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501