Despite recent increases in gas prices and a sluggish economy, 33 million Americans are projected to travel 50 miles or more from home during the Labor Day holiday weekend, a roughly 2.9 percent increase from a year ago, AAA said Wednesday.

Consumer confidence is higher than it was at this time a year ago, and that’s one reason why the number of Labor Day holiday travelers is expected to reach a postrecession high, AAA said.

About 28.2 million people, or 85 percent of this year’s holiday travelers, will make their Labor Day journey by automobile, AAA said.

Travel from New England is projected to increase by 3 percent.

AAA said 11.3 percent of the New England population is expected to travel, that exceeds the national projection of 10.5 percent.