Washington Travel Trends: AAA Sees 193% Surge In Trips Booked

BELLEVUE, WA — Washington has seen a steady climb in travel bookings since the year began, as more people got vaccinated and more restrictions began to lift. According to new data from AAA Washington, travel bookings are up 193 percent over the same time in 2020, and only 21 percent lower than in 2019.

The report found a few other changes in travelers' habits in recent months, including a shift in how long in advance trips are planned. AAA said Washingtonians planning cruises and tours are booking them roughly seven months in advance, compared to a full year in January. For cars, hotels and flights, travelers are booking them further ahead of time. While half of those bookings were done on the day of travel back in March, AAA said now only a small fraction of Washington travelers are securing rentals and rooms on short notice. For air travel, AAA found flights are booked 62 days in advance on average.

Car rentals remain much more expensive than usual, up 29 percent from 2019, which AAA said is the result of a continuing supply shortage. Right now, the average rental car costs more than $91 per day.

"Rental car companies must replenish fleets pared down during the pandemic but few vehicles are available," AAA wrote. "Production of the computer chips needed in new cars stopped when factories shut down due to COVID-19."

AAA Washington said the busiest window for trips is from Thursday through Saturday or Sunday, with Monday the most popular for booking a hotel room, and Tuesday for booking a rental car. A list of resources and recommendations for travelers is available on the AAA website.