Community Corner

Fewer Americans Expected to Travel for July 4

The shorter holiday travel period expected to result in .8 percent fewer American travelers this year.

Due to a shorter holiday period this year, fewer Americans will be traveling 50 miles or more during the Independence Day holiday compared to 2012, according to AAA's Independence Day travel forecast.

"This projection is due to the calendar effect of one fewer day in the holiday period and economic growth that is not robust enough to offset the impact of the sequester and the effect of the end of the payroll tax cut on American families," AAA President and CEO Robert L. Darbelnet said in a press release.

Despite the decline, July 3 and 7 will be the busiest travel days, with 46 percent of expected travelers beginning their trip before the holiday, compared to 65 percent last year, according to the release.

AAA Travel also predicts a .7-percent decrease in automobile travel, but gas prices are unlikely to be the major factor.

"Despite the slight increase compared to last year, prices remain below their highs of earlier this year," the release states.

However, air travel is expected to increase slightly from 3.06 million travelers to 3.07 million, an eight percent increase.

"Independence Day is typically the busiest holiday of the summer travel season with six million more Americans traveling than Memorial Day just two months ago," Darbelnet says. "The Fourth of July benefits from the fact that all schools across the nation are out of session, making it truly a time for family fun."

Other Highlights from the 2013 AAA Independence Day Travel Forecast:

  • Independence Day holiday travelers to total 40.8 million, a decrease of 0.8 percent from the 41.1 million who traveled last year.
  • Eighty-four percent of travelers (34.4 million) to travel by automobile, a decrease of 0.7 percent from 34.7 million last year.
  • Independence Day holiday travel volume is expected to remain above the 13-year average of 38.9 million for this holiday.
  • The largest share of travelers (32 percent) will depart on Wednesday, July 3
  • Sunday, July 7, is the most popular date of return for holiday trips with 38 percent planning to return that day.
  • The average traveler is expected to travel a round-trip distance of 613 miles and spend $747.
  • The most popular activities will be visiting with friends/family (57 percent), dining (49 percent) and shopping (44 percent).
View the AAA Independence Day forecast infographic.

Are you traveling for the July Fourth holiday?  Where? Tell us in comments. 


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