AAA: Independence Day Travelers Increase 1.9% Year-Over-Year

During the upcoming Independence Day holiday weekend, 41 million Americans are projected to journey 50 miles or more from home, a 1.9% increase from the 40.3 million people who traveled last year, according to the “AAA Independence Day Travel Forecast.” This is close to a 14% increase compared to May’s Memorial Day weekend travel.

According to AAA Travel, 34.8 million travelers plan to travel by automobile, the highest level since 2007. The Independence Day holiday travel period is defined as Wednesday July 2 to Sunday July 6.

"With school out for summer, the Fourth of July holiday is typically the busiest summer travel holiday, with five million more Americans traveling compared to Memorial Day weekend," said Marshall L. Doney, AAA chief operating officer. "In line with tradition, most travelers are celebrating their newfound summer freedom with an all-American road trip."

AAA expects the majority of U.S. drivers will likely pay the highest gas prices for Independence Day since 2008. Today's national average gas price is about 20 cents per gallon more expensive than the average last year, which was $3.48 per gallon.

And when it comes to car rental, weekend daily car rental rates will average $58, the same as last year, according to the AAA report.

For the complete “AAA/IHS Global Insight Independence Day Forecast,” visit http://newsroom.aaa.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/2014-Independence-Day-Holiday-Report-Final.pdf.