AAA Predicts Tuesday Will Be Worst Day to Travel for Fourth of July Holiday

Beginning Tuesday, look for busy roadways in New England when 86 percent of the region’s estimated 2.4 million travelers drive 50 miles or more this Independence Day, says AAA Northeast.

Tuesday will also be the worst travel day of the holiday nationwide, according to AAA.

— This article is from announcements from AAA Northeast and the national American Automobile Association.

Between July 3 and 8, the nation’s major roadways will be very congested when drivers heading for vacation destinations mix with daily commuters and create delays that can be as much as two to three times longer than usual.

“This Independence Day will be one for the record books, as more Americans take to the nation’s roads, skies, rails and waterways than ever before,” said Bill Sutherland, senior vice president, AAA Travel and Publishing. “Confident consumers with additional disposable income will look to spend on travel this holiday, building on an already busy summer travel season.”

For example, in New England, the New York and Boston metro areas will both see heavier than normal congestion in the late afternoon on July 3 between 3:30 and 6:30 p.m.

 

What’s driving the record numbers? “A strong economy, more disposable income and the fact that July 4^thfalls on a Wednesday” said Fran Mayko, AAA Northeast spokesman. This gives travelers more flexibility to schedule trips the weekend before or after the holiday.”

Nationally, an estimated 47 million Americans – 5 percent more than last year – will usher in the July 4 with:

• Nearly 40 million, a 5 percent increase, driving;
• Nearly 4 million, an almost 8 percent increase, flying; and
• 3.5 million, a nearly 6 percent increase, taking some other mode of transportation such as trains, buses, and cruise ships on vacation.

Gas Prices Starting to Stabilize Heading into Independence Day

Despite high gas prices, vacationers aren’t cancelling road trips, says AAA. The national average for a gallon of self-serve regular is about $2.85, 60 cents higher than this time last year; while on the state level, Connecticut’s average price of $3.09 is, 65 cents higher than this time last year.

Since the Memorial Day weekend, the national gas price has dropped nine cents to $2.88 (as of June 20), which is 59 cents more than one year ago.

Travelers Paying Less for Airfare, More for Car Rentals and Hotels

According to AAA’s Leisure Travel Index, travelers taking to the skies will pay an average $171 for a round-trip flight along the top 40 domestic routes. That is the lowest Independence Day airfare in five years, and 9 percent less than last year.

However, travelers can expect to pay more to rent a car and stay at mid-range hotels this Independence Day. At $66, the average daily cost of a car rental is a slight increase of 2 percent over last year.

The average nightly rate at AAA Two Diamond hotels is $147, 11 percent more than last year, while AAA Three Diamond hotels will average $187, a 2 percent year-over-year increase.

Theme Parks and Europe are Major Draws this Independence Day

This Independence Day, travelers will flock to theme parks in Orlando and southern California, while many others are heading west. Alaska cruises departing from Seattle, Anchorage and Vancouver round out the top five U.S. travel destinations for the holiday.

 

For those venturing overseas, Europe is a major draw, with Rome, London, Dublin and Paris all making the list of top international travel destinations for Independence Day.

AAA to Rescue More Than 362,000 Motorists

AAA expects to rescue more than 362,000 motorists at the roadside around the Independence Day holiday. Dead batteries, lockouts and flat tires will be the leading reasons AAA members will experience car trouble.

AAA recommends motorists take their vehicle to a trusted repair facility to perform any needed maintenance before heading out. Oil changes, fluid level checks, battery tests and tire inspections go a long way toward reducing the chances of a breakdown.