AAA projects a busy July Fourth holiday weekend with nearly 42 million Americans taking to the road, rails and air.
The auto club, which defines the holiday period as July 1-5, says about 41.9 million people will travel at least 50 miles to visit family or take a short vacation.
"This Independence Day, more people will get in their cars, board airplanes, and take buses, trains and cruise ships to be with friends and family," AAA President Marshall Doney said.
"Independence Day is typically the busiest summer travel holiday for this reason, and more Americans are planning a holiday getaway than any year since 2007."
Doney cited lower gas prices – up to $1 below the 2014 holiday weekend – for higher demand despite recent ‘seasonal increases.’
"Independence Day gas prices are expected to be the lowest in at least five years, a welcome sign for the 35.5 million people planning a holiday road trip," Doney said.
AAA estimates a 1.5% increase in air travel for Independence Day, to about 3.2 million people flying to their destinations.
It predicts an average air fare of $227, up by 6% compared to 2014.
Hotel costs are set to rise by a similar percentage, AAA said.
