Hitting the Road for the Fourth of Julyby Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger 02 Jul 2008 12:33 PM According to AAA, today is one of the busiest travel days of the year. Many travelers are hitting the road today in anticipation of the long holiday weekend. And lest you think that the record high gas prices are fueling families to put the brakes on their Fourth of July travel plans, think again. The drop in numbers should be barely recognizable. A new AAA report out today forecasts that 40 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more over the Fourth. That represents a 1.3% drop from last year and the first decline in 10 years. However, travel analysts are quick to point out that the decline could be attributed to the fact that the Fourth falls on a Friday this year, making this a true holiday weekend. So, instead of millions of Americans splitting their travel between the weekend before and after a midweek Fourth, most of the movement on our nation's highways will be concentrated during a single extended weekend. The AAA report also notes that more than 34 million Americans (almost 85% of the total) intend to travel by automobile, a 1.2% decrease from last year. That follows on the heels of the group's Memorial Day forecast, which correctly predicted that the number of Americans traveling by car during that holiday would drop by nearly one percent. Sky rocketing gas prices are also to blame for families choosing to stay closer to home. As of today the average retail price for regular gas is $4.07 per gallon, according to AAA. That's 13 cents higher than Memorial Day, and a whopping $1.10 higher than this time last year. The federal Energy Information Administration projects the price will peak at $4.15 in August. It's a prediction that is not falling on deaf ears. According to a survey by Rand McNally, 66% of Americans who plan to take a road trip this summer say that rising gas prices have prompted them to change their plans. Nearly 60% said they will reduce the number of days and/or distance driven, though only 10% said they will cancel their travel plans because of the high cost of gas. Related Articles: Fourth of July Festivities from Coast to Coast Where to Wave Your Flag this Fourth of July Fourth of July Travel--Everyone Loves a Parade Affordable Fourth of July Travel Deals More Affordable Fourth of July Family Getaways Affordable Fourth of July Family Getaways Saving Money While Celebrating the Fourth with Family on the Road Family-Friendly Summer Travel Bargains More Incredible Summer Airfare Bargains Sizzling Summer Airfare Bargains Saving on Summer Travel--More Southern Bargains Summer Travel: Saving Money Down South Where to Get an Affordable Summer Tan Summer Travel 2008-Gas Tank Getaways Part 2 Summer Travel 2008--Gas Tank Getaways Summer Travel: Unique Ways to Save Money on Gas Saving on Summer Travel-It is Possible Part 2 Saving on Summer Travel--It is Possible Cash Strapped? Check Out These California Travel Packages Kid-Friendly Hotels Getting Friendlier Fueling Your Summer Vacation with Gas Savers Learn more about Michele Cheplic  Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism. Relevanttravel tags User Comments No comments on this article yet. Be the first to comment! Discuss this article
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