During the upcoming Independence Day holiday, approximately 40.8 million Americans will journey 50 miles or more from home, a 0.8 percent decrease from the 41.1 million people who traveled last year, according to the “AAA Independence Day 2013 Travel Forecast.” The anticipated decline in holiday travel is predominantly due to a shorter holiday period, which is defined as Wednesday July 3 to Sunday July 7.

According to the AAA report, approximately 34.4 million people (84 percent) plan to drive to their destination, a decrease of 0.7 percent from the 34.7 million who drove last year. The average distance is expected to be 613 miles, which is 110 miles less than last year’s average of 723 miles, says the report.

Gas prices are not likely to be a major factor in travel decisions this holiday. As of mid-June, prices were on average only up 2 percent compared to the same time in 2012, says the AAA report.

And when it comes to car rental, weekend daily car rental rates will average $58 - 29 percent more than last year’s average of $45, according to the AAA report.

AAA’s projections are based on economic forecasting and research by IHS Global Insight, a Colorado-based business information provider.

For the complete “AAA/IHS Global Insight Independence Day 2013 Forecast,” visit http://newsroom.aaa.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Independence-Day-Forecast-Report-2013_Final1.pdf.