Easter travelers are hopping on cruise ships and heading to beaches to celebrate spring. AAA Travel data shows a 28% increase in cruise bookings for March and April compared to last year, and a 60% increase for cruises departing from South Florida. With Easter arriving early this year, many travelers are looking to escape to warmer temperatures. And for many, an Easter vacation is a family tradition.

“Multigenerational travel is a growing trend, especially at Easter time,” said Brian Murray, Sr. Manager of Travel at AAA Western and Central New York. “We’re seeing many families taking vacations with grandma, grandpa, and the entire family. At the same time, international travel is soaring with people looking to see the world. This year, travelers are splurging on upgrades and once in a lifetime trips.”

Murray cited AAA data for March and April, which shows international flight bookings are up 20% and international hotel bookings are up 37%.

Here’s a look at the top ten destinations for local travelers this Easter based on AAA Western and Central New York bookings from 3/28 to 4/1: 

1. Orlando  
2. Punta Cana 
3. Cruising out of Florida
4. Nassau
5. Aruba
6. Montego Bay
7. Cancun
8. Honolulu
9. Turks and Caicos
10. London 
11. Road trips are also popular this week while families take advantage of Easter break from area schools. For those traveling by car, AAA Western and Central New York’s Route Production Department, which handles maps and TripTik requests, reports a 30% increase in requests. The top destinations for local road trippers are:
12. Florida – it’s always number one! This year, there’s an uptick in requests for the panhandle of Florida.
13. Myrtle Beach, SC
14. Nashville and Memphis, Tennessee
15. Smokey Mountain National Park in Tennessee – drivers are specifically asking for maps along Skyline Drive and the Blue Ridge Parkway, which goes from Virginia to the Smokey Mountains. 
16. New Orleans
17. Hilton Head, SC

Note: there will be local road trips across the state as well, to places like Niagara Falls, the Finger Lakes, the Thousand Islands, and New York City.

Gas prices have been rising in recent weeks. As of today, the national average for a gallon of unleaded is $3.54.
The New York average is $3.44. In Buffalo, the average is $3.37, in Rochester it is $3.38, and in Syracuse it is $3.39.

Motorists can benefit from comparing pump prices before filling up with the AAA Mobile App for iPhone, iPad, and Android — a convenient option to find the lowest gas prices in a given area. Plus, the app is the quickest way to request roadside assistance, map a route, find discounts, or book a hotel.