Nearly 2 million more travelers than last year are celebrating with Fourth of July getaways |
LEXINGTON, Ky. — Nearly 49 million Americans will celebrate the red, white and blue with an Independence Day getaway this year—more than ever recorded since AAA began tracking holiday travel data in 2000. Overall travel volume for the holiday is expected to rise 4.1 percent over last year, with an additional 1.9 million people planning road trips and other vacations to celebrate America’s birthday. For the record-high 41.4 million Americans who will travel by automobile this Independence Day, drivers could face delays as much as four times a normal commute, according to global mobility analytics company INRIX, in collaboration with AAA. Wednesday, July 3, is expected to be the worst day on the roads.In addition to lower gas prices compared to last summer, broader economic indicators remain strong. Low unemployment, robust consumer spending and rising disposable incomes in many areas of the country are all spurring more consumers to invest their hard-earned money in travel this summer. “As Independence Day approaches, it’s time for the much-loved family road trip and this year will be one for the record books, with more Americans than ever planning vacations,” said Lori Weaver Hawkins, public and government affairs manager, AAA Blue Grass. “This holiday builds on Memorial Day’s strong travel demand, and with school now out, Kentucky families are eager to travel.” Independence Day holiday travel, by mode
Record numbers equal record delays |
| Millions of road trippers enjoying lower gas prices than 2018 After weeks of steady declines at the pump, gas prices have started to inch upward across the country. But while the national average has climbed 6 cents in the past week, it still remains about 13 cents less than Independence Day 2018. Today’s national average rests at $2.72, but lower prices seen in the past few weeks likely motivated record numbers of travelers to plan road trips for the upcoming holiday weekend. “Kentucky gas prices have been mirroring what we are seeing across the country, with prices in the Commonwealth averaging about 17 cents less than they were this time last year. That’s welcome news for motorists hitting the road to celebrate the July 4th holiday,” said Weaver Hawkins. “While traverlers are finding gas prices cheaper than they did during Memorial Day travel, prices have inched higher than what we saw in the past few weeks. Rising crude oil prices, strong demand, holiday travel and the announced closure of the largest refinery on the East Coast are all coming into play.” Travelers paying more for July 4th car rentals and airfares Some of the savings travelers are enjoying from lower gas prices will likely have to go toward other travel expenses, such as car rentals and hotel stays, which are trending higher. According to AAA’s Leisure Travel Index, airfares on average are 10 percent more expensive compared with last Independence Day, while average car rental rates are 5 percent higher than last year, at $69 daily. Meanwhile, midrange accommodations are expected to cost travelers between $153 for AAA Two Diamond and $189 for AAA Three Diamond Rated hotels. Top Independence Day travel destinations Fun-in-the-sun locales like Orlando and Honolulu lead the top 10 list of popular destinations for American travelers this Independence Day, based on advance AAA Travel bookings:
For those travelers planning an international vacation, Europe is the destination of choice. Rome, London, Dublin and Paris are the most popular spots for international vacations this Independence Day, with Vancouver, Canada–a top departure port for Alaskan cruises–rounding out the top five. ### |
AAA: Record-Breaking 48.9 Million Americans to Travel this Independence Day
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