LAS VEGAS -- For only the third time since 2000, travel numbers for the upcoming Labor Day holiday weekend are down across the U.S. That's according to AAA.

Of the people questioned by the group this year, more than 335,000 Nevadans said they plan on taking a trip of more than 50 miles over the Labor Day holiday weekend, which is down by 1.4 percent. Of those travelers, more than 264,000 plan on going by car, a 1.8 percent decrease compared with last year.

Nearly 55,000 Nevadans plan on flying to their destination, a decrease of 3.4 percent from 2007.

"Even with gas prices falling across the state, this has been a tough summer economically for many Nevada families," AAA spokesperson Michael Geeser said. "Another factor in travel plans this year is the fact that schools in Nevada start a week before the Labor Day holiday, which may play a bigger part in people choosing to stay home."

According to the AAA’s Leisure Travel Index, which is based on available rates this holiday, Labor Day travelers can expect increases in other travel costs when compared to 2007.

Those traveling by airplane will find air fares over the holiday weekend 15 percent higher last year, AAA officials said. Rental car rates are up 2 percent compared with last year, they added.

"Last summer, when gas prices were over $3 a gallon, AAA saw a 7 percent increase in transactions with our travel-related partners such as hotels, theme parks and car rentals. We are expecting an even greater increase this summer," said Geeser.

More than 34 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home this Labor Day holiday weekend, down 0.9 percent, from the 34.7 million who traveled last year, they said.