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AAA Expects Big Numbers of Holiday Travelers for Memorial Day Weekend

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) – Big numbers of Ohio travelers are expected to leave home over the long Memorial Day weekend, spurred by more disposable income and lower gas prices than in recent years.

But the heavy traffic combined with widespread highway construction could slow them down.

The AAA projects nearly 1.44 million Ohioans will travel this weekend, with 1.3 million going by automobile. Both numbers are some 5 percent higher than last year’s.

The group says drivers will likely pay lower Memorial Day gas prices than in recent years.

The average national gas price was reported at $2.72 as of Wednesday. Ohio was averaging slightly less at $2.68, but that could increase by the weekend.

Additionally, travelers will have to deal with nearly 1,000 highway construction zones around the state.