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AAA Predicts Jump in July 4 Weekend Travel
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AAA
The number of Americans planning to travel this Fourth of July holiday weekend will increase a whopping 17.1 percent from 2009 levels, predicts travel and auto group AAA. About 34.9 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home over the weekend this year, up from 29.8 million last year, AAA says.
The reason for the increase? Optimism about the economy.
"While financial markets continue to have volatility related to the European debt crisis, the landscape of the U.S. economy is in a much different place than it was one year ago," said Glen MacDonell, director, AAA Travel Service.
The number of those traveling by car is expected to jump 17.7 percent, while those traveling by air is expected to increase 8.2 percent.
AAA is predicting traveler numbers will be up across the U.S., including in states in the Gulf region. The group says most Gulf beaches remain open despite the BP oil spill and there have not been widespread cancellations.
AAA defines the Fourth of July holiday weekend as July 1-5.
The national price of self-service gasoline for the weekend will average $2.70 to $2.80 per gallon, AAA predicts. That's up from $2.64 last year, but much less than the $4.04 average in 2008.
Weekend airfares are expected to show a 13 percent increase over last year, with a lowest average round-trip fare of $192. AAA predicts weekend daily car rental rates will show a 4 percent increase to $54.
Americans will travel on average 617 miles, the same as last year. Median spending is estimated at $644, nearly $50 less than last year.
Where will everyone be going? Fifty-eight percent of Americans will spend time with friends and relatives over the holiday, AAA forecasts.
Photo, greeblie, flickr
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I am so sick of these mass bot comments, that just steal a part of the story and then plug their web site...most of the time it is for some singles site. If you click on their name in the comment box, it will take you to a page that shows that they just made the name the day the article was posted and scroll down it shows all the comments they posted that day......All of them plugging their page!!!!
Please report this when you see this happening, it is the only way to stop these fakes that don't give a hoot about the article, steal part of the article and then are just here for their own self serving purposes!!!
I think AOL should do a story on this, make people aware that it is happening and that it should be reported whenever seen. This is SPAM....and by the AOL rules it is not allowed!!!
Travel may pick up in my city because due to the economy they have cancelled the firework's for the first time ever.
June 26 2010 at 11:48 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyI know a man who just got back from a two week job in Saudia Arabia and he said they told him we better enjoy these low oil prices because before long gas will be somewhere between 4 or 5 bucks a gallon
June 26 2010 at 11:46 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyEvery one around here is staying at home. Gas is way too expensive, AAA is unrealistic in their predictions. Most people feel that the economy is headed back down, they need to check their survey.
June 26 2010 at 11:13 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Replyplease...i live on the gulf coast and believe me no one is coming here on the 4th ..the beaches are full of workers ..hay bales and other barriers and over 70% of people have canceled there beach plans and no one is calling to make plans for the 4th ...maybe everyone going to the mountains?...did obama tell you to write this? the economy getting better? yeah right..
June 26 2010 at 8:29 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply"The reason for the increase? Optimism about the economy." ROFL I've never heard anything so preposterous in my life. Anyone who actually bought this WHOPPER should stop by...I have a bridge or two I'd like to sell. Traveling? To check out other areas of the country to find WORK is the more likely story.
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