SAN FRANCISCO – The combination of bad timing coupled with a soft economy is putting a major damper on Californians’ Labor Day travel plans, according to a new report from AAA Northern California.

The new AAA report predicts just over 4.7 million Californians will travel 50 miles or more over the holiday weekend. That’s a 13.1 percent decrease in overall travel from 2008.

“One of the biggest reasons for this decline appears to be poor timing,” explained AAA Northern California spokesperson Cynthia Harris. “Last year we experienced the most Labor Day travelers this decade largely because many children were not yet back in school and families took the opportunity to take a final summer vacation. This year, Labor Day week falls one week later, and schools are already back in session.”

While overall travel numbers are down significantly, the situation is not as grim as it initially appears. Last year’s high numbers make this year’s decline appear more dramatic. In fact, AAA expects this upcoming Labor Day weekend will be the third busiest of this decade.

AAA expects over 3.75 million Californians will travel by motor vehicle over the weekend, representing an 11.2 percent decrease from last year. About 270,000 Californians are predicted to travel by air, a decrease of 19.9 percent from last year. Nearly 700,000 state residents are expected to travel by other modes of transportation such as boats or trains. That number is down by 20 percent compared to last year.

Nationally, AAA expects 39.1 million people to travel 50 miles or more over the four-day weekend, a 13.3 percent decrease from last year.

“Despite the dampened enthusiasm for travel, we are seeing a resilience in the travel industry during these troubled times, due in part to lower travel prices and somewhat improved consumer confidence,” said Harris.

Airfares that are 17 percent lower on average over the Labor Day weekend are likely to entice air travelers. AAA Three Diamond and Two Diamond lodgings are expected to be 12 percent lower, with West Coast travelers spending an average of $191 per night. Car rental rates are up about 7 percent. An average West Coast family of four is projected to spend $1,126 dollars over the four-day weekend and will log an average of 648 miles roundtrip for the weekend.

As part of AAA’s ongoing commitment to provide safety and protection to motorists, AAA’s Tipsy Tow Program offers a free tow for drinking drivers in Northern California from 6:00 p.m. on Sept. 7 until 6:00 a.m. on Sept. 8 in Northern California, Nevada and Utah. Members and non-members alike can call (800) 222-4357 (AAA-HELP) for a free tow of up to five miles.

“Just tell the AAA operator, ‘I need a Tipsy Tow,’ and a truck will be on its way,” said Harris. “Service is restricted to a one-way ride for the vehicle and driver to the driver’s home.”

AAA Northern California reminds motorists that during the Labor Day weekend, the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge will be closed starting Thursday, September 3rd at 8:00 p.m. until Tuesday September 8 at 5:00 a.m. AAA encourages motorists to use public transit and/or alternative routes.

If motorists do become stranded, AAA can be reached by calling 1-800-AAA-HELP (1-800-222-4357). Apple iPhone users can request emergency road service using AAA’s new AAA Roadside app available for free from the iTunes App Store via an iPhone, or at www.itunes.com/appstore/. Please visit www.aaa.com/roadside for further details.

AAA’s projections are based on research conducted by IHS Global Insight. The Boston-based economic research and consulting firm teamed with AAA earlier this year as part of an agreement to jointly analyze travel trends during the major holidays. AAA has been reporting on holiday travel trends for more than two decades.