The American Automobile Association is noting a growing trend for travel for the holidays in St. Lawrence County and around the country.

AAA is projecting that 93.3 million Americans will journey 50 miles or more from home during the year-end holidays, an increase of 1.6 percent over the 91.8 million people who traveled last year.

AAA is also anticipating a continuing drop in the price of a gallon of gasoline through the end of the year

This increase marks the fourth consecutive year of growing year-end travelers since declining by three percent in 2008. The year-end holiday travel period is defined as Saturday, Dec. 22 to Tuesday, Jan. 1.

“The year-end holiday season is the least volatile of all travel holidays and remains the time when people plan to visit family and friends,” said Tony Spada, President and CEO of AAA Western and Central New York. “Americans will not let economic conditions or higher gas prices dictate if they go home for the holidays or kick off the New Year with a vacation.”

AAA says 90 percent of travelers, this year expected to be 84.4 million, will travel by automobile, an increase of 1.3 percent. Holiday auto travelers will represent 26.7 percent of the total U.S. population.

Holiday air travel is expected to increase 4.5 percent to 5.6 million travelers from 5.4 million in 2011.

Median travel spending is expected to increase almost six percent to $759, compared to $718 in 2011 with transportation costs, including lodging, consuming about 29 cents of every travel dollar.

Average distance traveled is expected to increase to 760 miles round-trip from 726 miles, the increase expected with an increase in air travelers.

AAA does not expect gas prices to have a major impact on travel volume, but consumers could have more money to spend on holiday shopping, dining and entertainment if prices drop through December. AAA estimates the national average price of gasoline will slowly decrease through the end of the year and average between $3.20- $3.30 a gallon by New Year’s Day.