“While the number of travelers this Fourth of July is slightly lower than last year, it is important to note that there are still millions of Americans planning to visit family and friends this upcoming holiday weekend,” said Tom Chestnut, President/CEO of AAA Western and Central New York. According to AAA, more than 13 percent of the U.S. population will travel this holiday weekend despite high gas prices.
More than 34.2 million Americans (almost 85 percent of all holiday travelers) intend to travel by automobile, a 1.2 percent decrease from the approximately 34.6 million people who drove a year ago.
Approximately 4.54 million Americans (11 percent of holiday travelers) are expected to travel by airplane, a 2.3 percent decrease from the 4.64 million who took to the skies last year. Nearly 1.7 million plan to travel by train, bus or other mode of transportation.
“Clearly higher gas prices are continuing to take a toll on traveler’s budgets, but the travel industry is responding with discounts, promotions and other incentives to ease the financial pinch travelers may be experiencing.” Chestnut said. “AAA members can ‘Show Your Card & Save’ on hotels, car rentals, attractions, entertainment, and at a variety of retailers.”
Automobile travelers across much of the country will have to contend with gasoline prices at or above $4.00 a gallon. The national average for self-serve regular gasoline is $4.06 a gallon, an increase of 13 cents from last month and a $1.09 increase from a year ago. Travelers in New York State can expect to pay an average of $4.28 a gallon, while the average price of gasoline in the Buffalo/Niagara region is $4.25 a gallon. In the Rochester region the average cost of a gallon of gasoline is $4.23, and throughout the Syracuse area the average price stands at $4.22 a gallon, as of this morning.
According to AAA’s Leisure Travel Index, travelers can expect increases in other travel costs when compared to last year. Air fares over the holiday weekend have increased 13 percent over last year. Car rental rates vary from location to location, but this upcoming holiday weekend travelers will see a 12 percent increase overall in car rental prices, while hotel rates for AAA Three Diamond hotels remain unchanged.
AAA Western and Central New York is helping travelers maximize their vacation dollars by making advance reservations and planning ahead. Additionally, AAA recommends the following tips to help you save this Fourth of July travel weekend:
- Visit the AAA Fuel Price Finder at www.AAA.com/gas to find the least expensive gas prices no matter where you are driving in the United States.
- If traveling by car, use the AAA TripTik® Travel Planner at AAA.com to plan the best route, one that enables you to travel at constant speeds and bypass congested areas as much as possible.
- Drive a well-maintained vehicle. If you have a choice of vehicles, take the one that gets the best gas mileage. Renting a fuel-efficient model can also say you money in the long run – both at the pump and by reducing wear and tear on your personal vehicle.
- Book a hotel room on AAA.com where you are more likely to find a better rate than on other leading Web sites, according to a recent survey. In a review of several online travel booking sites, AAA.com offered AAA members the best publicly-available rate on partner hotels 69 percent of the time.
- Reduce meal costs by eating the main meal at midday to take advantage of lower lunch prices at restaurants. Many restaurants also offer children’s menus and “early bird” dinner specials at reduced prices.
- Take advantage of every available discount. AAA members can “Show Your Card & Save” on hotels, car rentals, attractions, entertainment, and at a variety of retailers. A complete list is available by visiting www.AAA.com/discounts.
- Use credit cards, such as the AAA Visa, that offer rebates on gasoline purchases.
- Start trips early in the day while traffic is light.
- Take only what you need to keep the load lighter. A heavier vehicle consumes more fuel. Keep luggage inside the vehicle rather than strapped to the roof where it will create wind resistance.
- Choose a vacation spot where only minimal driving will be needed after you arrive.
Research for Fourth of July weekend holiday travel projections is derived from the Travel Industry Association’s (TIA) Holiday Travel Forecast Model. Travel data is collected through an online survey of over 2,000 adults nationwide, supplemented by an additional 5,000 Americans surveyed by phone. Analysis of the data and the forecasts are produced by the Travel Industry Association, which conducts special research for AAA.
As Upstate New York’s largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides its 900,000 members with travel, insurance, financial, and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1900, AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. AAA clubs can be visited at AAA.com.
