July Fourth Travel Will Be Heavy This Year, Gas Prices Still High
More travelers will be hitting the road this year for the Fourth of July than did so in the previous seven years, according to projections from AAA.
About 41 million Americans are expected to travel 50 or more miles, according to AAA Travel. That's almost 2 percent more than last year's Fourth of July and almost 14 percent more than this year's Memorial Day weekend.
Most travelers are expected to hit the roads, with eight of 10 traveling by car, the most since 2007. So how will gas prices be?
AAA's Fuel Gauge Report has gas at a nationwide average of $3.67 per gallon, the highest for Independence Day weekend since July 4, 2008, and 20 cents higher than July 4, 2013.
On the East Coast, Hurricane Arthur is threatening the Carolinas and could disrupt holiday travel. Heavy rains are expected all the way up to Massachusetts, and Boston has already moved its Fourth of July celebration from Friday to Thursday to avoid the storm.
Roads will be busy nationwide due to the large number of travelers. Make sure to check your state's Department of Transportation website and listen to local news for road closures and detours. Additionally, stay tuned to weather reports before heading out on a long drive.
Air travel is expected to increase by about 1 percent. Ticket prices are down about 5 percent from last year. The average trip to the top 40 U.S. destinations costs $215. Car rentals are averaging $58 per day.
Whether traveling by plane or car, many travelers will still need hotels to stay at. Prices at Two Diamond hotels are up 15 percent, to about $137 per night. At Three Diamond hotels, prices are up 9 percent, to about $178 a night.
Will you be traveling by car or plane for the holiday? Leave a comment in the comments section below.
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