Half a million fewer Americans will take to the roads and skies this Fourth of July weekend, signaling the effect soaring gas prices, a weak economy and higher related travel costs are having on people's wallets.
"Given this year's record gas prices and higher airfares, it's still amazing to see that more than 40 million Americans will find a way to put a little fireworks in their summer," said AAA Idaho spokesman Dave Carlson. That's the number of Americans AAA said will travel 50 miles or more this holiday.
The travel organization said this will be the first travel decline for the Fourth of July holiday during this decade. AAA projected 40.45 million Americans will still travel during the holiday weekend, down 1.3 percent, or nearly 550,000 from the 41 million that traveled last year.
About 85 percent of all travelers will do so by car. AAA said more than 13 percent of the U.S. population will be on the road during the holiday weekend, despite gas prices now averaging $4.07 a gallon. A year ago the U.S. average price for regular grade fuel was $2.98.
Record oil and gas prices are reflected in the 1.2 percent decrease in those intending to travel by automobile. AAA estimated more than 34.2 million Americans intend to travel by automobile, compared to 34.6 million last year.
Air travel is expected to drop by 2.3 percent. Airfares are 13 percent higher this year than last and AAA is reminding travelers that many airlines are charging fees for checked baggage and other services that were previously complimentary. Car rental rates can vary by location, but this year's rates are 12 percent higher overall.
Idaho's average price for regular grade gasoline is $4.08, up 20 cents from a month ago and up 93 cents from a year ago, according to AAA's Daily Fuel Gauge Report, found online at www.fuelgaugereport.com,.
"There's still plenty of volatility in the oil markets, but gas prices have been relatively stable for the past two weeks," Carlson said. "We probably will not see any significant price drops at the pumps anytime in the near future."
Traffic on state Highway 75, above, and other highways, might not be as congested this Fourth of July holiday. Photo by Mountain Express
