AAA predicts more travelers than ever this 4th of July weekend

The upcoming July Fourth holiday weekend in the United States may be the busiest ever for road travel thanks in part to low gas prices, motor club AAA said.

Buskohl says gas prices directly affect travel trends.

Across Palm Beach County, the average cost for a gallon of regular gasoline fell 2 cents in the past week to $2.40.

For those using an airplane to get to the Independence Day holiday weekend destinations, AAA is reporting the average airfare costs are down nine percent from 2015.

While gas prices in Maryland and nationwide have risen more than 60 cents per gallon since this year’s low of $1.70 in February, they’ve dropped slightly since mid-June, and the average price per gallon the lowest for this time of year since 2005, AAA said. “We are well on our way for 2016 to be a record-breaking year for summertime travel”.

Almost 43 million Americans are projected to travel this weekend. In its calculations, AAA defines the holiday weekend as the five-day period between Thursday, June 30 and Monday, July 4.

The travel group estimates that USA drivers have saved $20 billion on gasoline so far this year compared to the same period last year. Historical travel data is provided by DK Shifflet, the world’s most comprehensive consumer travel measurement provider. Most of the growth comes from the cruise industry, which has seen a 35-percent increase over past year. This tops the joint record set past year and in 2007.

Before setting out for Independence Day, download the free AAA Mobile app for iPhone, iPad and Android. Learn more at AAA.com/mobile. She says low prices at the pump influence travel in all modes of transportation like auto, air and even cruise bookings. The projections are based on economic forecasting and research by IHS Global Insight.

Those traveling in an electric vehicle (EV) this Independence Day will now find more places to charge their vehicle in Central Ohio. TheColorado-based business information provider teamed with AAA in 2009 to jointly analyze travel trends during major holidays.

Lodging and airfare are also cheaper this year, AAA reported.