AAA Texas Predicts July 4th Travelers Will Number over Three Million
HOUSTON--July 1, 2003--More than 3 million Texans will travel over the July 4th holiday, about the same number as last year, according to AAA Texas.While air travel is expected to be lower than last year, the number of those driving is expected to be about the same, and more vacationers are expected to cruise or ride the bus or train to their holiday destinations.
"We are continuing to see the popularity of driving vacations, and many travelers are also discovering the great bargains available now on cruises and tours," said AAA Texas spokeswoman Rose Rougeau.
More than 88 percent of those traveling, or 2.7 million Texans, will be driving to their getaways this holiday weekend, approximately the same number as last year.
According to a AAA Travel survey of agents, the most popular July 4th vacation spots for AAA Texas members include: the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone National Park and South Padre Island.
Holiday drivers will see gas prices that are five to ten cents higher per gallon than this time last year. With a statewide average gas price of $1.392 as of midnight Tuesday, July 1st, Texas currently has one of the lowest average gas prices in the nation.
Almost 304,000 state residents, or 10 percent of travelers, are expected to fly to their holiday destinations - a 2.4 percent drop compared to last year's air travel. The AAA Travel survey shows that the most popular air destinations for members are Orlando and Cancun. Also, about 40,000 state residents are expected to take a ship, bus or train over the holiday, compared to 33,000 last year.
AAA Texas, an affiliate of AAA National, has been serving Texans since 1902. Today, more than a million AAA Texas members benefit from the organization's roadside assistance service, travel agency, financial products, insurance products and services, automotive pricing, buying and financing, trip planning services and traffic safety programs. Information about these products and services is available on AAA Texas' Web site at www.aaa-texas.com.
TEXAS JULY 4TH TRAVELERS 2003 (Projected) 2002 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Auto Travel 2.7 million 2.7 million ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Air Travel 304,900 312,400 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Other Travel (i.e. cruise, train, bus) 40,700 33,200 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Total Travelers 3.05 million 3.05 million ----------------------------------------------------------------------