Holiday Travel Expected To Decrease

For the first time this decade, AAA is predicting a drop in the number of Americans expected to travel over the Fourth of July holiday period. AAA projects 40.45 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home over the Fourth, down 1.3% from the 41 million who traveled last year.

This is the second consecutive 2008 travel holiday where a year-to-year decrease has been forecast. AAA projected a nearly 1% drop in holiday travelers over Memorial Day.

"While the numbers of travelers are a bit off from last year's levels, it is important to note that there are still millions of Americans who plan to travel," said Chuck Mai, spokesman for AAA Oklahoma.

According to AAA, nearly 13% of the U.S. population will be driving or flying this holiday weekend despite sky-high gas prices and the nation's sluggish economy. Many will be taking advantage of travel bargains being offered by hotels and destinations hoping to boost last-minute business.

AAA estimates 493,500 Oklahomans will travel by all modes of transportation over the Independence Day holiday period, a decline of 1% from July 4th last year. Of this number, 432,500 will be traveling by motor vehicle, a drop of a little under 2% from last year, and 53,500 will fly, 3.6% fewer than in 2007.

Nationwide, more than 34.2 million Americans intend to travel by motor vehicle, a 1.2% decrease from the number who drove to their holiday destinations last year.
Approximately 4.54 million Americans are expected to travel by airplane, a 2.3% decrease from last year. And about 1.7 million plan to travel by train, bus or other mode of transportation.

Automobile travelers across much of the country will have to contend with gasoline prices at or above $4 a gallon. The national average for self-serve regular is currently $4.07 a gallon. That is 13 cents more than last month and $1.09 higher than a year ago. Nationwide, 30 states and the District of Columbia report gas prices above $4 a gallon.

Visit AAA for more information.