TripAdvisor’s newest survey finds that more Americans are planning summer trips than last year, but the price of gas is having an impact on their vacation choices. TripAdvisor’s annual summer travel survey of more than 2,000 Americans found that 86 percent of travelers are planning leisure trips this summer up from the 83 percent who said they would travel last summer.

While most Americans appear committed to taking vacations this summer, they are conscious of gas prices; 39 percent said the rising cost of fuel is affecting their summer travel plans. Eighteen percent of respondents expect to take fewer trips by car, 12 percent intend to take shorter driving trips and 5 percent are not planning to travel at all this summer as a result of rising fuel prices.

Most U.S. travelers expect gas prices to continue to rise throughout the summer. Seventy-six percent expect gas prices to hit at least $4.50 per gallon for regular fuel, 26 percent predict prices at the pump will reach $5 per gallon and 13 percent foresee prices exceeding $5 per gallon. Eighteen percent said they will bypass car trips if gas prices reach $5.00 per gallon, and an additional 20 percent said they will avoid road trips if costs exceed $5.00 per gallon.

As a result of the rising gas prices, 24 percent of travelers said the maximum distance they are willing to drive for a leisure trip this summer is 200 miles. However, if it meant significant savings on airfare costs, 21 percent would be willing to spend 10 hours or more driving to a destination this summer.

More than a quarter of travelers surveyed (26 percent) said they will spend more on leisure travel this summer than last, while 42 percent expect to spend the same amount. Of those traveling this summer, 63 percent said they will drive and 62 percent expect to fly. Sixty-six percent said they will check into hotels this summer, 28 percent will stay with family or friends, and 18 percent will stay at vacation rental homes.

One-third of travelers surveyed (33 percent) plan to travel this Memorial Day weekend, up from 29 percent that said they traveled for the holiday last year. Twenty-one percent of respondents will drive to their Memorial Day weekend destinations. Of those respondents driving, 71 percent will travel more than 100 miles, and 23 percent will drive more than 300 miles. While more travelers plan to travel for Memorial Day this year, fewer expect to travel by car and more intend to fly

When asked about the destination setting for their vacation this summer, 50 percent of those traveling said they will take a city leisure trip. Forty percent noted they will stay at an ocean location, 18 percent will visit a national park, and 16 percent will travel to a lake. New York City, Boston, and Washington, D.C. are the three most popular U.S. spots this summer, according to the survey.

Americans are again looking to take advantage of the great outdoors this summer.  Hiking is the most popular activity (33 percent) followed by water sports (22 percent).  Biking and cycling is a growing trend - 22 percent plan to go biking summer compared to 17 percent last summer. Camping also is up slightly - 12 percent are planning camping trips compared to 10 percent last year. For more information, visit www.tripadvisor.com.