Vacation travel not nearly as high

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) - Analysts say summer vacation travel is not nearly as high as they predicted it to be, and gas prices are the reason why.

According to AAA, about a million fewer people took to the highway for this Fourth of July holiday weekend.

Gas prices are about a dollar per gallon higher than this time last year.

This also means that travel all summer could suffer unless vacationers adapt.

"My rule of thumb is for a vacation, ideally, it is money that you have available in cash," said Manisha Thakor, a personal finance expert.

Loading that cash into a card can keep you on budget.

"You put the money on a card and then as you're going through your vacation, that's it. It's like a digital envelope system the old fashioned way of making sure you only spend the cash that you have," said Thakor.

Research from American Express also shows vacationers were forced into becoming better planners this year.

"For a large percentage of people taking vacations, they've actually cut back on other things in their life to be able to afford a vacation," said Claire Bennett, American Express Vice President of Consumer Travel.

Another survey by Deloitte shows 'staycations' and local attractions might be more appealing this year.

"The local beaches, the state parks, the family vacations, versus the further away destinations because there's clearly a psychological impact when you fill up your gas tank and it's $100 plus," said Adam Wiessenberg with Deloitte and Touche.

Some expect people to go to great lengths for a vacation this year, but they won't be traveling as far.