The highest retail gas prices ever seen for a holiday weekend won't deter drivers, according to AAA.

The auto club says a record number of Americans will drive more than 50 miles from home over the Memorial Day holiday. AAA estimates that 31.1 million travelers will take road trips at least that long, up 2.2 percent from last year.

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Currently, the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline is $2.15 a gallon. It was $2.24 a month ago.

The group says 84 percent of holiday travelers will hit the road. Elevel percent will go by airplane, up 3.2 percent from last year.

"(Gas) prices might be 15 cents per gallon higher than last year's then-record levels, but gasoline remains a relatively small part of most travelers' vacation costs. Look for another crowded holiday on the highways," said AAA Travel Vice President Sandra Hughes.

Air travelers will generally pay less to fly than last year. AAA's Leisure Travel Index shows flights over the holiday weekend averaging 10 percent less this year than last year. Rental car rates will be down about 4 percent. These savings will be offset by higher hotel rates, though 00 up 10 percent from a year ago.

Although Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer vacation season, many travelers began planning their more ambitious vacations several months ago.

The greatest number of Memorial Day auto travelers will originate in the West with 7.4 million, followed by the Southeast, 6.7 million; Midwest, 6.6 million; Northeast, 5.8 million; and Great Lakes, 4.6 million, the group said.

The West is expected to produce the largest number of air travelers with 1.3 million, followed by the Midwest with 1.1 million; Southeast, 800,000; Northeast, 500,000; and Great Lakes, 400,000.

Travelers should make lodging reservations now, the group said, as 35 percent of the total Memorial Day travelers expect to stay at a hotel or motel. Thirty-two percent of travelers expect to stay with friends or relatives.