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Californians continue to prioritize travel as the end-of-the-summer holiday weekend approaches, despite a sluggish economy and ongoing high gas prices. AAA's latest travel forecast predicts that more than 3.7 million Californians will travel 50 miles or more over Labor Day weekend; this represents an increase of 3.4 percent compared to last year.

"While many Californians are still caught in a fragile state of economic affairs, they are willing to travel, but will be cutting back on other expenses," said AAA Northern California Spokesperson Cynthia Harris. "Those surveyed expect to cut back on shopping, take a shorter trip, travel by an alternative mode of transportation and stay with family and friends to avoid higher expenditures over the holiday weekend."

Nationally, AAA projects just over 33 million people will travel 50 miles or more over the long weekend, representing a 2.9 percent increase compared to 2011.

Trips by car are expected to be the preferred mode of transportation with more than 2.9 million Californians driving to their holiday destinations. Despite climbing gas prices -- several Bay Area locations have seen 30 cent increases in two weeks -- car trips are expected to increase 3.6 percent compared to 2011. The average road trip is predicted to cover 635 miles.

About than 490,000 Californians are planning to travel by air, an increase of 4.1 percent compared to last year. Airfares are expected to decrease by 4 percent over Labor Day weekend, with an average cost of $197 per ticket. More than 300,000 will travel by other modes of transportation such as rail, bus and watercraft, an increase of 0.2 percent over 2011.

AAA's survey shows that shopping, visiting family and friends, dining and touring or sightseeing will be the preferred leisure activity for west coast families. Other favorite activities over the weekend are expected to be going to a beach or waterfront area followed by nightlife activities.

As in years past, AAA will offer the AAA Tipsy Tow program, a free tow home for drinking drivers from 6 p.m. on Sept.3 until 6 a.m. on Sept. 4. The five-mile tow is available to all motorists including non-members. Drivers, potential passengers, party hosts, bartenders and restaurant managers can call 800-222-4357 (AAA-HELP) for a free tow home by telling the operator "I need a Tipsy Tow." No reservations are accepted.

"Service is restricted to a one-way ride for the driver and his or her vehicle to the driver's home," said Harris.

To save money and improve gas mileage while on the road, AAA offers the following advice for motorists:

- Keep your tires properly inflated. Every pound of pressure that a tire is under inflated results in a two percent loss in fuel efficiency.
- Don't use premium fuel if your car does not require it. Check your owner's manual.
- Observe the speed limit. At speeds above 55 mph, aerodynamic drag increases and fuel efficiency decreases rapidly.
- Avoid hard acceleration and drive defensively. Try to brake and accelerate smoothly.
- Idling unnecessarily wastes fuel. Most cars today do not need to be warmed up.
- Travel light. A loaded roof rack can decrease fuel economy by five percent.

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