A record 49 million Americans are projected to travel during
the Fourth of July holiday weekend from July 3-7, according to AAA. That is a
4.1% increase from the prior year and the highest number of travelers AAA has
predicted since it began tracking holiday travel 19 years ago.
Most travelers, 41.4 million, will drive to their
destinations, a 4.3% increase in road-trippers. The busiest day on the roads
will be July 3, when commuters and holiday travelers mix, AAA determined in
collaboration with INRIX.
Another 3.96 million will fly, up 5.3% from last year. The
remaining 3.55 million travelers will travel by trains, buses and cruise ships,
up slightly (0.6%) from last year.
According to AAA's Leisure Travel Index, airfares are 10%
higher than last year. Rental car rates average 5% higher at $69 per day.
Accommodations at a AAA Two Diamond hotels average $153 per
night, and Three Diamond hotels average $189 per night.
Orlando is the top domestic destination for American
travelers, based on AAA Travel bookings, followed by Honolulu, Seattle, Las
Vegas, Anaheim, New York, Boston, Maui, Anchorage and Chicago.
For international travelers, AAA said Rome, London, Dublin,
Paris and Vancouver are the top five.