ORLANDO, Fla. — As tourists enjoy spring break, AAA projections reveal the Orlando area is once again the top domestic destination.

What You Need To Know

AAA listed Orlando as the most popular spring break destination based on their bookings

Visit Orlando leaders say 75% of visitors choose to drive to Orlando

AAA says a majority of travelers choose to road trip due to flexibility, convenience and cost

AAA listed Orlando as the most popular spring break destination based on their bookings, followed by other Florida cities such as Fort Lauderdale, Miami and Tampa.

(AAA)

It’s not a surprise to leaders at Visit Orlando, who say they see growth each year. President and CEO Casandra Matej said April’s numbers are already 9% ahead from last year, so they expect a strong season.

“Of course we are that family destination. There’s over 500 events that are happening in March and April. There’s a lot of sport events, there’s a lot of festivals. So there’s a variety of things to do and see,” said Matej.

Matej says 75 percent of visitors choose to drive to Orlando.

“You think about the northeast or southeast such as Georgia, they view us as a drive market because a lot of times they’ll stay a lot longer than just a few days,” said Matej.

When it comes to spring break, experts say road trips are the most popular way to travel.

“In most cases, about 90 percent of travelers prefer to drive to their destination just because it offers more convenience and flexibility,” said AAA spokesman Mark Jenkins. “If you wanted to stay a little bit longer, come home a little sooner, they can do that.”

Jenkins said road trips also help control costs.

“If you think about it, if you’re traveling as a family of four or five, it’s a lot more economical in most cases for you all to pack up inside of a vehicle and hit the road as opposed to buying four or five plane tickets,” he said.

Carl’s Van Rentals is located near Orlando International Airport. General manager Cameron Bethmann says spring break is a busy season for the business, especially on weekends.

“We normally start ramping up the end of February and it goes through mid-March, that’s when people come in for spring break rentals,” said Bethmann.

Uncertainty with rising gas prices can affect people’s road trips. According to AAA, Florida’s average is $3.72 while the national average is $3.68.

Jenkins says drivers are tightening their budgets, but not canceling their trips. He recommends comparing gas prices and paying attention to vehicle maintenance, since that can play a part in overall fuel economy.