Holiday travel this Fourth of July should return to pre-recession levels, tying 2007’s record for the highest travel volume in the past decade. Why?
"The robust volume of fourth of July travelers is being fed by Americans’ appetite for travel, a mid-week holiday, and lower gas prices," said Ragina C. Averella, manager of public and government affairs at AAA Mid-Atlantic.
The number of Americans journeying 50 miles or more from home during this year’s holiday is expected to increase 4.9% since last year. According to a AAA, the predicted holiday traffic marks a nearly 42% increase from 2009.
Travel observers cite lowering gas prices as the major reason.
The mid-week holiday also allows travelers more options when deciding departure dates. AAA said 54% of people intending to travel this holiday plan to begin their trip prior to the start of the July 2 work-week.
The group said 35.5 million people will drive 50 miles or more away from home between July 3 and 8, up 4% from last year and the largest number in the last decade.
For those traveling by airline, AAA expects no changes in airfare costs year-over-year.
By David Wilkening
