A record-breaking 44.2 million Americans will be traveling 50 miles or more this Independence Day, reflecting an increase of 1.25 million passengers above last year’s record, according to a report from the American Automobile Association (AAA).
Recognized as what will be the most traveled Independence Day holiday ever, travelers will be utilizing all avenues of the nation’s transportation infrastructure through air travel, highways, railroads and waterways.
“Combined, strong employment, rising incomes and higher consumer confidence bode well for the travel industry, in particular this Independence Day weekend,” Bill Sutherland, AAA senior vice president of Travel and Publishing, said. “A historic 44.2 million Americans will travel to celebrate our nation’s freedom this year, adding to an already bustling summer travel season.”
Contributing factors to this 2.9 percent travel increase over 2016 include cheaper gas prices as well as lower airfare and car rental rates. The vast majority of travelers – 37.5 million Americans – will drive to their destinations over the holiday weekend, marking a 2.9 percent increase over last year. Air travel is expected to increase 4.6 percent over last year, while other modes of transportation – cruises, trains and buses – is expected to increase by 1.4 percent.
Based on AAA’s summer travel bookings, Orlando is the No. 1 spot on the list of most-visited locations for 2017. Other high-ranking destinations include Vancouver, Canada; Cancun, Mexico, Seattle, Washington; and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.
AAA has also projected that it will come to the aid of more than 338,000 motorists during the holiday weekend with primary reasons being lockouts, flat tires and battery-related issues. The association recommends that motorists take their vehicle to a trusted repair facility to perform any needed maintenance, such as oil changes, fluid level checks, battery tests and tire inspections, before hitting the road.