During the upcoming Independence Day holiday weekend, 41.9 million American will journey 50 miles or more from home, a 0.7% increase from the 41.6 million people who traveled last year, according to the “AAA Independence Day Travel Forecast.”

According to AAA Travel, 35.5 million travelers plan to travel by automobile, an increase of 0.7% from last year. The Independence Day holiday travel period is defined as Wednesday July 1 to Sunday July 5.

“This Independence Day, more people will get in their cars, board airplanes and take buses, trains and cruise ships to celebrate our nation’s freedom with friends and family,” said Marshall L. Doney, president of AAA. “Students all across the nation are also celebrating freedom from homework, making this an ideal time for a family vacation. Independence Day is typically the busiest summer travel holiday for this reason, and more Americans are planning a holiday getaway than any year since 2007.”

Despite recent seasonal increases in gas prices, travelers will have lower prices at the pump compared to recent years, says AAA. Today’s national average gasoline price per gallon is $2.78, 88 cents lower than the average price for gas last year.

“Independence Day gas prices are expected to be the lowest in at least five years, a welcome sign for the 35.5 million people planning a holiday road trip,” said Doney.

For the complete “AAA/IHS Global Insight Independence Day Forecast,” visit http://newsroom.aaa.com/2015/06/aaa-projects-41-9-million-americans-will-celebrate-independence-day-holiday-getaway/