AAA is projecting a 4.9 percent increase in travel for Independence Day this year.
The group expects that 42.3 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home over the holiday period from July 3 to July 8. The travel volume has the potential to tie the past decade’s high mark set in 2007 and represents a 42 percent increase from 2009, according to AAA.
“AAA’s projection of more than 42 million Independence Day travelers is being fed by Americans’ appetite for travel and receding gas prices,” Wally Smith, vice president of AAA Western and Central New York, said in a news release. “This is the second holiday this year where travelers indicated a determination to travel while economizing by actively seeking value-added travel options and activities.”
Falling gas prices may contribute to the expected travel bump, AAA said. The Syracuse area saw gasoline prices peak at $4.09 per gallon in April. The local average is $3.59 per gallon today, compared with $3.70 statewide and $3.49 nationwide.
About 35.5 million people plan to travel by car this year, up 4 percent from 2011. More than 3.2 million people will fly during the holiday period, up 9 percent.
Median spending is expected to be $749, a 7 percent dip from last year, according to AAA.
Contact Tampone at ktampone@cnybj.com
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