Despite rising gas prices, more Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home during the Labor Day holiday weekend, according to a AAA report.

At least 33 million will take to the road this year, a 2.9 percent increase from the 32.1 million people who traveled last year.

As of Aug. 26, the average gas price in Virginia was $3.60 a gallon compared to $3.55 a week ago and $3.44 a year ago.

“Late summer driving continues to cost motorists more than ever for this time of year, as prices at the pump continue to rise,” said Martha M. Meade, manager of Public and Government Affairs for AAA Mid-Atlantic in a prepared statement. “Although the pace of this upward trend has slowed in the last week, experts believe it will continue for about two more weeks before reversing as the busy summer driving season ends and refineries switch to making less expensive gasoline blends. That said, as storm activity heats up the Atlantic and Tropical Storm Isaac strengthens, gas prices will almost certainly be impacted if we see oil production disruptions in the Gulf of Mexico.”

The total number of 2012 Labor Day holiday travelers is expected to reach a new post-recession high, and is the third increase in holiday travel this year, according to the AAA/IHS Global Insight 2012 Labor Day Holiday Travel Forecast. Approximately 28.2 million people (85 percent of holiday travelers) will make their Labor Day holiday journey by automobile, considered the most convenient mode of travel for many Americans.