More Than 5.5 Million Californians Will Celebrate the 4th With Travel

LOS ANGELES--June 28, 2004--More than 5.5 million state residents - 3.4 million of them from Southern California - are expected to take vacations over the Independence Day holiday, according to the Automobile Club of Southern California.

The estimate of 5,519,802 traveling Californians is a 2.5 percent increase from last year. The greatest change from 2003 is in air travel, with 7.3 percent more California residents planning to board planes for their vacations this week. Auto travel is expected to be 1.7 percent higher than in 2003. The number of people planing to cruise, ride a train or bus to holiday destinations will increase one percent from last year. Nationally, AAA predicts that 39.4 million Americans will travel for July 4th, an increase of 3.4 percent from last year.

More than 4.5 million state residents and 2.8 million Southern Californians are expected to drive to holiday destinations at least 50 miles from home.

"Driving vacations continue to be the most popular, with 82 percent of travelers expected to take their July 4th trips by car," said Carol Thorp, Auto Club spokesperson. "Travelers are also discovering some good bargains available on cruises and tours."

The top destinations for Southern Californian travelers, according to a survey of AAA Travel agents, are:

1) Las Vegas

2) San Francisco

3) Yosemite

4) Grand Canyon

5) Baja California

As they get ready to leave town, holiday drivers will be paying gas prices 50 to 55 cents per gallon higher on average than this time last year.

Nearly 923,000 Californians are predicted to fly to vacation destinations this holiday weekend, up 7.3 from 2003. According to the AAA Travel survey, Hawaii is the top destination for those flying to their Independence Day getaways.

The Auto Club advises motorists to plan their routes by calling the California Highway Information number at 1-800-427-7623 for interstate and state route lane closures and highway closures. The information is updated hourly.

To prepare for a holiday motoring trip, the Auto Club recommends that you:

-- Consider traveling during off-peak times to avoid congestion

-- Check your vehicle's fluid levels, belts, hoses and tires

-- Pack plenty of fluids and activities for youngsters on long trips

-- Take care with children by properly using safety belts, car seats, and booster seats, and by accompanying them into the restroom during travel breaks

-- Choose a well-lit, populated area for rest stops then driving at night

The Automobile Club of Southern California, the largest AAA affiliate, has been serving members since 1900. Today, Auto Club members benefit by the organization's roadside assistance, financial products, travel agency and trip planning services, highway and transportation safety programs, insurance products and services and automotive pricing, buying and financing programs. Information about these products and services is available on the Auto Club's web site at www.aaa.com.