FENTON, Mo. – The family camping trip to Mark Twain Lake was slightly delayed for Jason Doty and his family.
“Yeah, we got a flat tire we need to change before we get out there,” he said.
Doty, a St. Louis County resident, is looking forward to the unofficial start of summer.
“It’s the end of the school year. I’ve got one kid that just graduated eighth grade and one that graduated pre-K, and we need to get away a little bit,” he explained.
According to AAA, more than 45 million travelers are expected to travel at least 50 miles from home over the Memorial Day travel period that began on Thursday.
The automobile association anticipates 87% of this year’s Memorial Day weekend travel will be done by road.
Wally’s, a popular travel stop in Fenton, is where drivers were pulling in for gas, food, and drinks Friday.
“We are headed to Cloud Nine Ranch,” said Amy Willis. “We’re going camping and side-by-side riding, and we’re just looking to get away for the weekend.”
Holiday weekend getaways are a popular alternative to more costly week-long vacations.
AAA reports that the cost of gas is lower this year compared to the same time last year, which is one factor contributing to what is expected to be the busiest Memorial Day weekend for travel.
Riley Cantrell, who usually stays at home, has a special reason to travel this holiday weekend. “On Wednesday, my sister had her first child,” he shared. “So, we’ll see her for the first time tonight.”