Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

AAA says optimistic Americans fueling Fourth of July travel numbers

Michael Keating
/
WVXU
AAA projects air travel will be up 1 percent nationally, 2.5 percent in Ohio, for the July Fourth holiday travel period.

If you're packed and ready to take a trip for the Fourth of July, you'll be in good company.  AAA projects 41 million Americans will journey 50 miles or more from home for the holiday weekend.  AAA Corporate Public Affairs Manager Cheryl Parker says that's a 1.9 percent increase from last year and a 14 percent increase compared to the Memorial Day travel period.

"The majority of travelers, as we've see in in the past, will be traveling by road--8 out of 10-- 34.8  million Americans traveling by automobile," says Parker.  "This is the highest number of travelers since 2007."

Ohio will see a similar trend with 1.7 million travelers, a 1.7 percent increase from last year  (1.46 million driving and 76,000 flying).

“With school out for summer and increased consumer confidence and spending, more Americans are ready to travel for the Fourth of July holiday and most are ready for a road trip," says  Parker.

AAA says optimistic Americans are dusting off their credit cards to pay for a Fourth of July vacation.  The automobile association says willingness to take on debt-- not higher income--is responsible for the increase in spending.

The Independence Day travel period runs from July 2-6.