Americans are preparing to flee this weekend despite high fuel prices.
The AAA predicts that 47.9 million people will travel 50 miles or more from home over the holiday weekend, which began on Thursday and continues through Monday. This is a 3.7% increase from 2021, bringing travel volumes slightly below those seen in 2019.
The biggest surprise – car trips – is expected to set a new record despite historically high gas prices, with 42 million people taking to the road. With crowded roads and busy airports, AAA said travelers should prepare so they can have a stress-free Fourth of July celebration.
“AAA Travel Advisors continues to see high demand for travel during the Independence Day holiday,” said Bevi Powell, senior vice president, AAA East Central, in a statement. “The summer travel season is in high gear, and despite higher gas prices, Americans are ready for a break and that much-needed vacation.”
The volume of car trips, even with national gas prices averaging around $5 a gallon, will break previous records as 42 million plan to drive this Independence Day.
The average price of regular unleaded in western Pennsylvania is $4.98 per gallon, compared to $3.24 per gallon at the time of last year.
In the Mid-Atlantic region, which includes Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York, 5.2 million people are expected to travel by car, down 0.1% from last year, but a total of 6.2 million travel, an increase of 4%, according to the AAA.
Independence Day will be the second busiest since 2000 as travel volumes continue to increase with no signs of slowing down, according to the AAA.
Meanwhile, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission projects that more than 5.8 million drivers will be traveling the Turnpike over the Independence Day holiday through next week. That’s nearly 100,000 more than last year’s traffic of 5.7 million during the same 10-day vacation.
“Summer travel is in high gear and more than 5.8 million customers will be traveling on the PA Turnpike from Friday, July 1 to Sunday, July 10,” said Mark Compton, CEO of Turnpike, in a statement.
“Summer and early fall are typically dangerous times of year on country roads, with Independence Day among the most dangerous due to heavy traffic and distracted, impaired driving,” said Sgt. Zachary Ryland of the T Troop State Police in a statement. “Obeying established speed limits, allowing sufficient distance between other vehicles and a general respect for other drivers will ensure that everyone reaches their destination safely.”
Today’s latest news and more in your inbox
