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Most Texans Plan to Take a Vacation this Summer

Flickr.com/exlibris

More Texans are planning to go on vacation this summer.

A new AAA Texas survey found 75 percent of Texans plan to take at least one summer trip. That’s up from 72 percent last year.

Lower gas prices may have something to do with the increase. In Austin, a gallon of unleaded is about 20 cents cheaper now than a year ago.

Around half of those who are traveling say gas prices are not significantly affecting their plans. The survey found those Texans who are going on vacation are finding ways to adjust their trip budgets for gas prices.

“Picking up a cooler and some sandwiches. That way they’re actually having some meals on the road instead of spending money in restaurants. Some are picking destinations which allow them to stay with friends and family rather than in a hotel,” said Doug Shupe, AAA Texas Senior Public Affairs Specialist.

Gas prices are still high enough to keep some travelers at home. The 19 percent of Texans who say they aren’t going on vacation cite gas prices as their top reason.

Many Texas travelers plan to stay in the state. The top five vacation destinations were all in Texas:

1.     San Antonio (16 percent)

2.     Galveston (16 percent)

3.     Austin (14 percent)

4.     Dallas/Fort Worth (13 percent)

5.     A national park in Texas (11 percent)

 

Laura first joined the KUT team in April 2012. She now works for the statewide program Texas Standard as a reporter and producer. Laura came to KUT from the world of television news. She has worn many different hats as an anchor, reporter and producer at TV stations in Austin, Amarillo and Toledo, OH. Laura is a proud graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia, a triathlete and enjoys travel, film and a good beer. She enjoys spending time with her husband and pets.