Fewer Americans will hit the road for Labor Day weekend than last year, AAA projects.

The group said that almost 34.4 million people -- 320,000 fewer than last year -- will travel 50 miles or more from home on the holiday weekend. If the prediction holds, it will be the second decrease in the last three years.

"More travelers concerned about the economy, gasoline prices and rising airfares are opting to travel by train, bus, motorcycle and cruise ship to their holiday weekend destinations," said AAA President and CEO Robert Darbelnet. "This trend points to a desire on the part of the American public to seek alternatives to flying and driving to enjoy the traditional end of summer vacation."

Approximately 28.64 million Americans -- more than 83 percent of holiday travelers -- expect to travel by automobile, a 1.1 percent drop from last year.

The national average for self-serve regular gasoline is $3.66 per gallon. Americans traveling by automobile will encounter gasoline prices about 40 cents less than the Fourth of July travel holiday, but still 88 cents more than this time last year.

Almost 3.96 million Americans intend to travel by airplane, a 4.5 percent decrease from the 4.14 million people who flew last year.

The greatest number of Labor Day holiday weekend automobile travelers will originate in the West with 7.2 million, followed by the Southeast with 6.6 million; Midwest, 5.5 million; Northeast, 4.8 million; and Great Lakes, 4.5 million.