Idahoans are paying a quarter more for a gallon of gas than a year ago, but they will hit the road with abandon during the July 4 holiday, setting travel records as they do.
AAA Idaho has predicted a record 41.1 million travelers will hit the byways and skyways this July 4 holiday, up 0.8 percent from a year ago. Among them, 34.7 million, or 84 percent of all travelers, will be doing so by car, truck, motorcycle or RV.
"Because Independence Day falls on a Wednesday this year, Americans will adjust their travel plans to take advantage of week-long getaways," said AAA Idaho spokesman Dave Carlson. "It will be a busy travel week, worthy of the fireworks of the July 4 holiday."
AAA's projections, based on a nationwide survey of 1,950 U.S. adults, show that nearly four of every 10 holiday travelers will leave on Friday, June 29, spending an average of 5.7 nights away from home. Seventeen percent intend to leave Saturday, June 30, and will spend an average of just over five nights away from home.
"All this happens, of course, with Idaho gasoline prices well above a year ago," Carlson said.
Based on AAA's Daily Fuel Gauge Report, www.fuelgaugereport.com, the average price of regular grade gasoline in Idaho is $3.16, down about 12 cents from the Memorial Day weekend, but 26 cents higher than a year ago.
Idaho's $3.16 average price has edged lower in the past two weeks, but is still 18 cents higher than the national average price of $2.98.
"The outlook for more price declines is far from certain," Carlson said June 21. "Higher crude oil prices in the past week suggest a little more market apprehension, and a strike today in Nigeria will likely not help."
Despite the record travel numbers, the increase in the number of Americans traveling this holiday is modest and may be attributable in part to the fact that the holiday falls midweek.
"Americans aren't willing to give up their traditional Fourth of July celebrations with friends and family, and many are choosing to take a few more days off work to do so," Carlson said.
The number of motor vehicle travelers has increased four of the past five years despite higher gas prices during each of those holidays.
AAA Idaho estimated that 183,000 Idahoans will be drivers or passengers in motor vehicles driving 50 miles or more this holiday period, up about 6,000 from a year ago.
Fourth of July travel is expected to break records despite soaring fuel prices. Photo by David N. Seelig
