Since it began tracking holiday travel 18 years ago, AAA predicts the most travellers during the Fourth of July week with an increase of 5 percent compared with 2017. Last year, AAA estimated a record-breaking 44.2 million travellers, a 2.9 percent increase from 2016’s record-breaking year. In 2015, AAA calculated the most travellers since 2007 as Americans were experiencing dropping fuel prices after 2014’s sky-high prices.
Although gasoline prices are up nearly 60 cents compared to a year ago, according to Energy Information Administration numbers, a 5 percent increase in motorists is expected this year. AAA attributes the increase to the holiday falling on a Wednesday, allowing travellers to schedule trips the weekend before or the weekend after Independence Day.
Diesel fuel prices are up 76 cents from a year ago, according to the EIA.
AAA expects Tuesday to be the busiest travel day, predicting travel times to double in some of the most congested cities. Worst travel times in congested cities range from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m
