Many Virginians motoring this weekend - but close to home

While a slight decrease in travel nationwide is predicted this holiday weekend, more than 780,000 Virginians are expected to hit the highways for one last summertime break.

With gas prices still above $3 a gallon, most travelers are expected to motor only a day's distance from home, said Georjeane Blumling, vice president of public relations for AAA Tidewater.

"We're seeing lots and lots of car travel," Blumling said. "A lot of people are traveling about 500 miles total."

Virginia made the association's top 10 list of states for residents to travel during Labor Day weekend, with more than 930,000 residents expected to make a trip by car or other means.

"I think we're very lucky, especially in Hampton Roads, that our economy is actually in better shape," Blumling said. "We're hurting, but our gas prices have been down some from everybody's across the U.S."

While gas prices have soared since last year, the cost of a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline has dropped since the July 4th holiday, Blumling said.

The average price for a gallon of unleaded gasoline in Hampton Roads on Wednesday was about $3.41, compared with the national average of $3.67, according to the American Automobile Association.

A month ago, Hampton Roads drivers were shelling out an average of $3.85, according to AAA; at this time last year, drivers were paying about $2.57.

Law enforcement agencies across the state also may be burning more fuel this weekend - they're planning increased patrols to crack down on speeding, reckless driving and other offenses.

Labor Day 2007 was the state's deadliest in a decade, with 22 highway fatalities, according to State Police.

Fifteen of the people who died weren't wearing seat belts, State Police said. Earlier this week, the troopers issued a reminder to motorists to buckle up and avoid impaired driving.

This morning, Chesapeake police and other law enforcement agencies are planning to kick off their weekend enforcement efforts with a checkpoint on U.S. 17 at the North Carolina border.

During the annual event, called Border to Border, police will stop drivers to check for vehicle violations. Commercial vehicles also will be stopped to check their weight and safety equipment.

Cindy Clayton, (757) 446-2377, cindy.clayton@pilotonline.com