AAA Predicts Increase in July 4th Travel

 predicts that almost 1.3 million New Jersey residents will travel 50 miles or more during the Independence Day holiday weekend, an increase of 4.1 percent over last year. 

AAA is defining the Independence Day holiday travel period as Tuesday, July 3 to Sunday, July 8. With July 4th falling on a Wednesday, AAA believes that many travelers are taking advantage of the midweek holiday by expanding their travel from the traditional five days to six. When asked about the day of departure 54 percent of people intended to begin their trip prior to the start of the work-week that includes July 4th. 

In a news release, AAA said the extra travel time provides an opportunity for longer trips, increasing the average distance Americans during the Independence Day holiday weekend to an estimated 723 miles, up 150 miles from than last year’s average 573 miles. This greater distance also translates into an increase in those choosing to travel by air, but auto travel still remains the most popular method of transportation with 84 percent of travelers hitting the roadways.

“The extra time, coupled with falling gas prices have helped encourage travelers to hit the roadways in force,” Cathleen Lewis, Director of Public Affairs for AAA New Jersey Automobile Club said in an email. “While travelers continue to seek ways to economize, the longer holiday period allows for longer trips.”