Lowest gas prices in 11 years drive Independence Day travel
AAA projects nearly 43 million Americans will travel this Independence Day weekend. This is the highest Independence Day travel volume on record and five million more travelers compared to Memorial Day weekend. The holiday travel period is defined as Thursday, June 30 to Monday, July 4.
Thirteen (13.2) percent of Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home, a 1.3 percent increase over the 42.3 million who traveled a year ago.
In the Pacific Region, (AK, CA, HI, OR, WA), 6.6 million (12.4 percent of the population) are expected to travel, up 1.3 percent compared to last year. In Oregon, roughly 492,000 people are expected to take a 4th of July getaway.
“The 4th of July is the busiest travel holiday of the summer. All in all, 2016 is shaping up to be a record-breaking year for summertime travel,” says AAA Oregon/Idaho Public Affairs Director Marie Dodds. “Independence Day gas prices are expected to be the lowest since 2005 which is good news for everyone taking a holiday road trip.”
Car travel is most popular
Nationally, 84 percent of holiday travelers (36.3 million) will drive to their holiday destinations, an increase of 1.2 percent compared to 2015.
In the Pacific Region, 79 percent of travelers (5.2 million) plan to travel by car, an increase of 1.1 percent.
Lowest Independence Day gas prices in 11 years
Most drivers will likely pay the lowest Independence Day gas prices since 2005. Despite seasonal increases in pump prices, travelers continue to enjoy substantially lower prices compared to recent years.
The current national average for regular unleaded is $2.29, and Oregon’s average is $2.53.
Air travel increases, air fares drop
Air travel is expected to increase 2.2 percent over last year, with 3.3 million Americans taking to the skies this Independence Day. In all, 7.8 percent of all holiday travelers will fly to their destinations.
In the Pacific Region, 818,000 (12.4 percent of travelers) will fly to their destinations, an increase of 3.4 percent compared to 2015. The Pacific Region typically sees a higher share travel by air compared to other regions, and this is the case for this Independence Day. This area is more spread out geographically than other parts of the U.S. so flying can be more convenient for travelers here.
Average airfares for the top 40 domestic flight routes cost nine percent less this Independence Day with an average ticket of $207 compared to $227 last year, according to AAA’s Leisure Travel Index.
Travel by other modes of transportation including cruises, trains and buses, will increase two percent to 3.3 million. Most of those travelers are expected to fill cruise cabins and AAA’s holiday cruise bookings are 35 percent higher than last Independence Day.
Lodging costs drop, rental car rates rise
Hotel costs are slightly less expensive than last Independence Day. AAA Three Diamond Rated hotels will average $185, five percent less than 2015. AAA Two Diamond Rated hotels will average $144 nightly compared to $145 a year ago, a one percent decrease.
Daily car rental rates will average $75 up from $71 last year, a six percent increase.
AAA to the rescue
AAA expects to help more than 370,000 motorists nationally and about 5,180 in Oregon and Idaho over the Independence Day travel period, with the primary reasons being dead batteries, lockouts and flat tires. AAA says check the condition of your battery and tires before heading out on a holiday getaway and have vehicles inspected by a trusted repair shop, such as one of the nearly 7,000 AAA Approved Auto Repair facilities across North America.
Members can download the AAA Mobile app, visit AAA.com or call 1-800-AAA-HELP to request roadside assistance. Members can visit AAA.com/battery to schedule a battery check.
Download the AAA Mobile app before an Independence Day getaway
Before setting out for Independence Day, download the free AAA Mobile app for iPhone, iPad and Android. Travelers can use the app to map a route, find lowest gas prices, access exclusive member discounts, make travel arrangements, request AAA roadside assistance, find AAA Approved Auto Repair facilities and more. Learn more at AAA.com/mobile.
With the AAA Mobile app, travelers can also find more than 58,000 AAA Approved and Diamond Rated hotels and restaurants via TripTik Travel Planner. AAA’s is the only rating system that uses full-time, professionally trained evaluators to inspect each property on an annual basis. Every AAA Approved establishment offers the assurance of acceptable cleanliness, comfort and hospitality, and ratings of One to Five Diamonds help travelers find the right match for amenities and services.
AAA Holiday Projections
AAA’s projections are based on economic forecasting and research by IHS Global Insight, based in Colorado. AAA has been reporting on holiday travel trends for more than two decades. The complete AAA/IHS Global Insight 2016 Independence Day holiday travel forecast can be found here.
As North America’s largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides more than 56 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. AAA clubs can be visited on the Internet at AAA.com.
