AAA Chicago: Relief at the Pump Fuels Savings for July 4th Travel

Record travel numbers projected

AURORA, Ill., June 26 -- Independence Day falls on a Wednesday this year, and while Americans will have to adjust their vacation plans, they will travel nonetheless. AAA Chicago estimates a record 41.1 million Americans will leave home this holiday (June 29 -- July 8), a 0.8 percent increase from last year. About 34.7 million travelers, or 84 percent of all holiday travelers, expect to go by motor vehicle, a 0.7 percent increase from the 34.5 million who drove a year ago.

According to a AAA survey, Forth of July travelers intend to spend the entire week on their holiday trip this year. In fact, the largest share of the Fourth of July travelers are planning to leave Friday, June 29 or before.

"Despite the mid-week holiday, Americans still plan to celebrate the holiday with friends or family," says Beth Mosher, spokeswoman for AAA Chicago. "The lower fuel prices may also be an added incentive for travelers considering a day trip on July 4th."

Prices may fluctuate during the extended travel period; currently in Illinois, the price of regular unleaded is $3.15 per gallon, up 19 cents from a year ago. In Indiana, a gallon of regular unleaded costs $2.93, which is a 14-cent increase from 2006. Nationally, regular unleaded gasoline is $2.98.

Another 4.7 million (11 percent of holiday travelers) plan to travel by airplane, up 3.5 percent from last Fourth of July. A projected 1.7 million (4 percent of all holiday travelers) vacationers will travel by train, bus, or other mode of transportation.

AAA's Leisure Travel Index shows some other vacation cots up from Fourth of July 2006, while others have dropped somewhat significantly. Hotel rates are up a bit, averaging 5 percent higher for the AAA-rated Three Diamond hotels than last year. Car rental rates will be similar to last year, which are up 3 percent. Airfares, however, are a welcome 12 percent lower than Fourth of July 2006.

"The decrease in airfare plays a role in the increase in flyers during this holiday period," Mosher says.

The greatest number of air travelers will originate in the West, with 1.8 million, followed by the Midwest and Southeast at 800,000 each; Northeast, 700,000; and Great Lakes, 500,000.

The Southeast is expected to produce the largest number of auto travelers with 8.9 million, followed by the West with 8.6 million; Midwest 6.6 million; Northeast 5.8 million; and Great Lakes, 500,000.

Research for holiday travel is based on a national telephone survey by the Travel Industry Association of America, which conducts special research for AAA.

AAA Chicago has represented roadway interests for motorists and pedestrians and serves as a leading advocate for various traffic safety and travel-related issues for more than a century.

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