(LOS ANGELES, June 28, 2007) — Fourth of July travel is expected to increase by 1.5 percent compared to last year, with nearly 3.6 million Southern Californians and 5.7 million statewide expected to take holiday trips, according to the Automobile Club of Southern California.
More than 80 percent of July Fourth travelers will drive to their destinations — 2.9 million Southern Californians and 4.67 million statewide, a 1 percent increase over last year. Another 614,000 Southern Californians — and 980,000 in the state — are expected to take plane trips over the holiday, a 5 percent increase compared to last year.
"Because the Fourth of July is on Wednesday, many households are taking a longer trip of at least five days," said Auto Club spokesperson Carol Thorp. "In fact, 42 percent of Southern Californians traveling to Fourth of July getaways are expected to leave on or before Friday, while another 22 percent will leave on Monday and 14 percent will leave Tuesday."
Two-thirds of California households with children are expected to bring them along on their July Fourth travels.
The top destinations for Southern Californians over this holiday, according to a survey of the Auto Club's AAA Travel, are:
- Las Vegas
- San Diego
- Hawaii
- San Francisco
- Grand Canyon
About 41.1 million Americans are expected to take Fourth of July trips, an increase of less than 1 percent compared to last year. National and state travel projections are based on a survey of 1,300 adults conducted by the Travel Industry Association of America for AAA.
Local gas prices for most regions are about the same or slightly lower than at this time last year, with the statewide average price still hovering well above $3 a gallon ($3.18 as of June 28).
The Automobile Club of Southern California, the largest affiliate of the AAA, has been serving members since 1900. Today, the Auto Club's members benefit by roadside assistance, insurance products and services, travel agency, financial products, automotive pricing and buying programs, automotive testing and analysis, trip planning services and highway and transportation safety programs. Information about these products and services is available on the Auto Club's Web site at www.aaa.com.
###