The number of American travellers this end-year holiday season will reach new records -- but many are reluctant flyers. A new survey shows almost two in five airline travellers prefer other types of transportation – with self-drive high on the list of preferred options.

Close to 84 million people in the United States plan to drive this Christmas and New Year -- a 2.1 percent increase from last year, according to forecasts from the American Automobile Association.

Road trips will cost more this year than they paid in 2010. The current national average price for regular unleaded petrol is approximately $3.27 per gallon, about 29 cents more than one year ago.

However, the national average price is about 71 cents less than this year's peak price of $3.98 at the beginning of May, says Associated Press.

Many travellers surveyed indicated that they prefer the freedom of driving — picking their departure times and packing what they need — even if it means dealing with high fuel prices. It could lead to a big boost year round in domestic self-drive holidays during 2012 and beyond, say analysts.