RIDGELAND, Miss. – Rising gas prices are not expected to keep Americans at home this Fourth of July holiday weekend.
AAA Travel says 41 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home over the holiday. That’s nearly a 2 percent increase from the same time last year. The majority of you will travel by car, despite a nearly 20 cents a gallon increase in gas prices. “But like we have normally said, it’s not gas prices along that determine if people are traveling,” said AAA spokesperson Don Redman. “It’s just the overall feeling of the economy. And even though income has not risen, people are feeling more confident and breaking out the credit card, believing they can make the payment.”
The estimated eight in 10 (34.8 million) Americans choosing to travel by automobile this Independence Day holiday weekend, is the highest level since 2007. The Holiday travel period is Wednesday through Sunday.