(Radio Iowa) – Many Iowans are busy making their summer travel plans, which for some of us starts with the three-day Memorial Day weekend ahead. Triple-A-Iowa spokesman Brian Ortner says some Iowans are having to cut back on more lavish vacations this year in favor of shorter jaunts that are closer to home.  “We aren’t hitting the travel records, but the prediction is 3.7 million people from the West North Central region are going to travel 50 miles or more,” Ortner says. “That’s 116,000 more than last year, but it is 71,000 less than the overall record set back in 2005.” The region includes Iowa as well as Nebraska, Minnesota, Kansas, Missouri and the Dakotas.

While most Iowans who will be getting away on Memorial Day will be driving or flying, but there are transportation alternatives.  “The one area where we do set a record — like we did last year — is in what’s classified as the ‘other’ modes of travel, and that would be like buses, trains, cruises and those sorts of things,” Ortner says, “with 375,000 folks from our region hitting those other types of travel.” Triple-A says the statewide average price for a gallon of gasoline during Memorial Day weekend last year was three-59 a gallon.

Prices today in Iowa are averaging two-93, or 66-cents a gallon cheaper. That’s part of the reason Ortner predicts a good summer travel season ahead. “Even despite economic uncertainty and global challenges, travel remains a priority for individuals all across the U.S.,” he says, “and it’s about making memories and taking advantage of those long weekends.”

The AAA survey shows Iowa’s cheapest gas is in Des Moines at $2.84 a gallon, while the most expensive pump prices are in Ames at $3.09.