Travel outlook for the 4th of July

AAA is anticipating air travel to benefit from the dampened desire of consumers to travel by road. While fuel prices are still lower than they were this time last year, they are still significantly higher than they were in early spring, causing many motorists to shy away from the thought of traveling by car.

Children are out of school, and summer it at its height, but AAA predicts that the Fourth of July will see a 1.9 decrease in travelers from July 4th 2008. Vacationers have had a steady decline for several years now, estimates for this year being 37.1 million travelers expected to take to the road for fifty or more miles. In 2008 that number had been 37.8 million, and in 2007 42.3 million Independence Day travelers had hit the road.

Average expenses for the weekend, according to AAA, will be $1,160.00 per household, with the average travel distance being 614 miles round trip. An estimated half of the budget will be spent on travel and lodging, food and drinks 20% and the remaining balance being spent on entertainment and recreational activities.

The gurus at AAA have determined that those traveling by air can hope to see prices drop as low as $169 with savings at hotels as well: estimates of $101 to $137 for two and three diamond AAA hotels.

Still planning to travel by car, check out sites such as Gas Buddy to find out about lowest fuel prices in your area.