The American Automobile Association projects 98.6 million Americans, including many in St. Lawrence County, will journey 50 miles or more from home during the year-end holiday season, a 4 percent increase from the 94.8 million people who traveled last year.

This upward trend marks the highest forecast growth rate for the year-end holiday season since 2009 and the highest travel volume for the holiday period on record. AAA data dates back to 2001.)The year-end holiday period is defined as Tuesday, Dec. 23 to Sunday, Jan. 4, AAA said.

The group says nearly 91 percent of all travelers will celebrate the holidays with a road trip, an increase of 4.2 percent from 2013.

Air travel will account for 6 percent of all travelers and is forecast to grow one percent from 2013.

The remaining 3 percent will travel by other modes, including rail, bus and cruise.

Low gas prices continue to help boost disposable income this holiday season, with today’s national average price of gas at $2.52 per gallon, 70 cents less than a year ago, according to AAA.

“This year more Americans will travel and join friends and family to celebrate the holidays and ring in the New Year than ever before,” said Tony Spada, president and CEO of AAA Western and Central New York. “It seems more Americans are looking forward with increasing consumer confidence, rather than looking back at the recession. This is helping to drive expected travel volumes to the highest level we have seen for the year-end holidays.”

The lowest national gas prices since 2009 are also increasing disposable income and enabling families to set aside money for travel this year. The calendar is having a positive effect on the number of travelers expected this year, too. This year the holidays land on a Thursday, creating a 13-day holiday travel season that is one day longer than last year’s and the longest since 2008, offering travelers more options for departures and return trips. This flexibility makes it possible for more people to fit holiday travel into their schedules, according to AAA.

The national average price of gasoline is at the lowest level in five years and 70 cents lower than last year. Gas prices have fallen for 82 days in a row, helping to increase Americans’ disposable income 3.5 percent from year-ago levels, which has had a positive effect on travel, AAA said.

According to AAA’s Leisure Travel Index, hotel rates for what AAA designates as “Three Diamond” lodgings are expected to increase 4 percent from one year ago with travelers spending an average of $143 per night, compared to $138 last year. AAA’s so-called “Two Diamond” hotel rates will rise 5 percent, with an average cost of $108 per night. Daily car rental rates will average $66, 4 percent higher than last year, AAA said.

Average discounted round-trip airfares across 40 top domestic routes are expected to fall 7 percent this year, to $186. This is influenced by the availability of discounted rates from low-cost carriers in several top markets. AAA encourages travelers to consider the full cost of a ticket when purchasing air travel, as many airlines charge ancillary fees for checked bags, meals, priority boarding and seat assignments.