July 4 Travel to Reach Record, AAA Says

Despite continued high gasoline prices, a record 41.1 million Americans are expected to travel during the July 4 holiday week, up 0.8% over last year, AAA said.

Even though Independence Day falls on a Wednesday this year, Fourth of July travelers intend to spend the entire week on their holiday trip, and the largest share of holiday travelers are planning to leave this Friday or earlier.

About 34.7 million travelers, or 84% of the total, will travel by motor vehicle, a 0.7% percent increase from last year, the group said.

Auto travelers will find gasoline prices nationwide averaging about $2.99 a gallon, down more than 20 cents from record highs of late May and about 14 cents higher than a year ago, AAA said.