Despite high gasoline prices and a sour economy, Americans still plan to hit the road this summer for a family vacation, says the Automobile Club of Southern California.

A survey by the Auto Club found that 90 percent of its members plan to take at least one road trip this summer, despite gas prices nearing $5 a gallon.

In addition, 41 percent of members plan to make as many trips as they did last year, while 33 percent plan to cut back. Nearly all those who plan to spend less time behind the wheel blamed higher gas prices.

However, 26 percent plan to take more motoring excursions - a trend that spurred creation of the term "staycation" for holidays spent closer to home.

"Record gas prices are definitely having an impact on our members, but summer vacations are still very important to them," said Bob Kane, the Auto Club's vice president for district office operations. "People are finding ways to continue traveling."

The Auto Club's report was based on a survey of more than 1,200 members in

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Southern California, Texas, New Mexico and Hawaii. It defined a road trip as one that exceeds 50 miles and includes an overnight stay.

Club spokeswoman Marie Montgomery Nordhues said it was somewhat surprising to find that members were still planning so many road trips since the price of gas has jumped more than 45 percent since last summer.

"It is a little counterintuitive, on the one hand," she said. "But on the other hand, it's consistent with what we're seeing in the marketplace and some other surveys."

Here are some more results from the club's survey:

We'll stay pretty close to home, since cities in California were the most popular destinations for folks living in metropolitan Los Angeles. Las Vegas, Florida and the East Coast are also popular destinations.

The destination is the most important part of the summer trip, followed by cost, and entertainment and recreation offerings.

More than half the club's members expect to spend more than $1,000 on their summer trip; 31 percent budgeted $500 to $1,000; and 14 percent expect to spend less than $500.

Forty-two percent said their next trip will last four to seven days, 23 percent plan a trip of three days or less, 22 percent plan a one- to two-week vacation, while 12 percent expect to spend at least two weeks away from home.

greg.wilcox@dailynews.com