This Independence Day, a record-breaking 44.2 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more away from home, taking to the nation’s roads, skies, rails and waterways to honor the red, white and blue. With 1.25 million more travelers expected than last year, 2017 will be marked as the most traveled Independence Day holiday weekend ever.
“Combined, strong employment, rising incomes, higher consumer confidence and low gas prices bode well for the travel industry, in particular this Independence Day weekend,” said Jennifer Cook, AAA Washington’s senior manager of corporate communications. “A historic 44.2 million Americans will travel to celebrate our nation’s freedom this year, adding to an already bustling summer travel season.”
The Independence Day holiday travel period is defined as Friday, June 30 to Tuesday, July 4.
By the Numbers: Independence Day Travel Forecast
· Overall, 44.2 million travelers are expected to travel this Independence Day, a 2.9 percent increase over 2016.
· 37.5 million Americans will drive to their destinations, an increase of 2.9 percent over last year.
· 3.44 million people are taking to the skies this Independence Day, increasing air travel by 4.6 percent over last year.
· 3.27 million travelers, an increase of 1.4 percent from 2016, will look to other modes of transportation, including cruises, trains and buses.
Slightly higher gas prices not deterring holiday road trippers
Average gas prices remain above prices from this time last year, but prices have gone down slightly in the past month locally. In Washington, the average price of gas is $2.82 per gallon, 6 cents less than a month ago and 18 cents above this time last year. In Oregon, the average price for a gallon of gas is $2.67 and in Idaho it’s $2.61. And, the national average price for a gallon of gas is $2.28, 8 cents less than a month ago and 4 cents less than a year ago.
More people will drive, fly and use other modes of travel
The vast majority of travelers—37.5 million Americans—will drive to their Independence Day destinations, an increase of 2.9 percent over last year. Air travel is expected to increase 4.6 percent over last year, with 3.44 million Americans taking to the skies this Independence Day. Travel by other modes of transportation, including cruises, trains and buses, will increase 1.4 percent, to 3.27 million travelers.
Airfares, hotel and car rental rates lower this Independence Day
Travelers can expect lower prices for airfares, car rentals and hotels this Independence Day weekend. Average airfares for the top 40 domestic flight routes will be 10 percent lower this year, with an average round trip ticket landing at $186. Daily car rental rates will average $65, which is 14 percent less than last Independence Day. Hotel costs are the same as last year, with the average AAA Three Diamond Rated hotel costing $185 per night.
AAA to rescue more than 7,500 Washington motorists this Independence Day
AAA expects to rescue more than 338,000 motorists across the country this Independence Day weekend, with more than 7,500 of them occurring here in Washington. Some of the most frequent reasons for member breakdowns include: lockouts, flat tires and battery-related issues. AAA recommends motorists take their vehicle to a trusted repair facility to perform any needed maintenance before heading out. Oil changes, fluid level checks, battery tests and tire inspections go a long way toward reducing the chances of a breakdown.
Seattle ranks #4 for top summer travel destination
The most-visited locales for 2017 summer travel based on AAA’s summer travel bookings:
- Orlando, Florida
- Vancouver, Canada
- Cancun, Mexico
- Seattle, Washington
- Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
- Honolulu, Hawaii
- Anaheim, California
- Anchorage, Alaska
- Las Vegas, Nevada
- Montego Bay, Jamaica
