This Independence Day weekend is expected to be the second busiest in travel since 2000, with a record number of Americans planning to head out, according to AAA’s Vacation Travel Forecast.
The big picture: Historically high gas prices aren’t expected to discourage more Americans from driving, and more than 52% of consumers polled by The Vacationer are still on the road trip over the holiday weekend.
Driving the news: Recent flight delays and cancellations could fuel a 0.4% rise in ridership, AAA said, estimating the share of air travelers over the holiday weekend will be the lowest since 2011.
- Airlines already know that July 4th weekend travel will be a mess, writes Axios’ Joann Muller, noting that Delta is trying to get customers to change their plans by offering free rebookings to accommodate the rush of distributing vacation trips.
What you say: “There’s a lot of pent-up demand for COVID-19 travel, so many people will still be doing it on the 4th of July and this summer despite inflation and gas prices,” said Eric Jones, co-founder of The Vacationer. said Axius.
- “Driving offers a flexibility that flying doesn’t offer, and airfares are currently outpacing inflation,” said Jones, an assistant professor of mathematics at Rowan College South Jersey.
- “People are ready for a break and even though things cost more, they’re finding ways to take that much-needed vacation,” Paula Twidale, senior vice president of AAA Travel, said in a statement.
Gas prices fall ahead of the bank holiday weekend
The national average regular gasoline a gallon is down four cents to $4.85 since Monday, AAA said Thursday.
- Falling oil prices and lower demand have pushed pump prices lower, and as “these trends continue, drivers will likely continue to see relief at the pump,” notes AAA.
- The five states with the largest declines in their average gas prices are: Wisconsin (-14 cents), Delaware (-14 cents), Indiana (-13 cents), Florida (-13 cents) and Ohio (-13 cents).
Best travel time weekend July 4th
Friday 1 July is expected to be the busiest day for air travel for the holiday weekend according to AAA.
- For those who drive, Thursday and Friday are expected to be the busiest days, according to the AAA.
- July 4 is expected to be the easiest for air travel.
Using the numbers: To date, Sunday, June 26 has been the busiest air travel day of the year according to TSA.
Flashback: Thousands of flights were canceled or delayed during the June 16 bank holiday weekend and Father’s Day, reports Axios’ Rebecca Falconer.
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