Charlotte, NC (June 22, 2021) – Travel continues to recover after a year-long pandemic. AAA Predicts Independence Day Travel Volume Will Be Second Highest Ever; approaching 2019 highs.
More than 47.7 million Americans will take at least one domestic trip on Independence Day (July 1-5). This corresponds to an increase of almost 40% compared to the previous year, but only 2.5% less than on the 2019 holiday weekend.
The number of trips to the Carolinas is also recovering from last year. Almost 1.4 million North Carolinians and 688,500 South Caroliners are expected to take a trip over the holiday weekend. This is the second most common value recorded and 35% more than in the 2020 holiday season.
“Travel is back this summer as Americans eagerly pursue their vacation, which they have postponed for the past year and a half,” said Debbie Haas, vice president of travel for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “We saw strong demand for travel around Memorial Day and the beginning of summer, and all signs are now pointing to a busy Independence Day.”
Road trips to record heights
While all types of travel will experience increased demand on this Independence Day, Road trips also dominate this summer. Despite the highest gasoline prices in seven years, more than 91% of vacation trips will be by car.
An expected 43.6 million Americans (1.2 million North Carolinians and 635,800 South Caroliners) will travel to their destinations, the highest record for the holiday and 5% more than the previous record in 2019.
“Road trips provide a feeling of freedom and more control over the length of your trip,” said Tiffany Wright, public affairs director, AAA – The Auto Club Group in the Carolinas. “Even higher gasoline prices are unlikely to deter Americans from this road trip that many have waited for more than a year. If anything, drivers are more likely to cut other expenses such as accommodation and restaurants to offset the higher fuel costs. “
Gas prices are the most expensive since 2014
The 1.2 million North Carolinians and 635,800 South Caroliners who will be traveling by car on Independence Day can expect to find the most expensive gasoline prices since 2014.
AAA members can save gasoline by joining the Fuel Rewards at Shell program. Save 30 cents a gallon on your first tank of fuel at Shell when you join between July 1 and August 31, 2021. Register now at AAA.com/Shell.
Air travel takes off
With 3.5 million air travelers, the volume of air travel on this Independence Day will reach 90% of the level before the pandemic and increase by 164% compared to the previous year.
On average, flight prices for the holiday season have fallen by 2% compared to the last Independence Day. The lowest average price per ticket is $ 175. That’s $ 4 less than last year and $ 13 less than the 2019 holiday weekend.
cruise
An additional 620,000 Americans are expected to use other modes of transport on Independence Day, an increase of over 72% year over year but 83% less than 2019. That includes bus, rail and return cruises. Cruise lines have announced that limited voyages will be commencing from US ports beginning in late June.
“AAA is excited to see the cruises return, and so do our travelers,” Haas continued. “AAA Travel Advisors have seen increasing demand for cruises and staterooms are filling up quickly. While cruise lines have made tremendous strides to ensure the safety of their crew and passengers, traveler requirements can vary based on who you are sailing with and where you plan to go. This currently also applies to many facets of travel. For this reason, we strongly recommend that travelers work with a travel agent who can keep you updated and find the trip that is right for you. “
Top travel destinations and resources to help plan your trip
The booking data from AAA Travel also indicate a strong travel recovery in the summer. Theme parks in Orlando and Southern California, as well as destinations like Denver, Las Vegas and Seattle are high on the list of Independence Day destinations this year.
Top destinations for Independence Day:
- Orlando, Florida
- Anaheim, California
- Denver, CO
- Las Vegas, Nevada
- Seattle, WA
- Chicago, Illinois
- New York, NY
- Atlanta, GA
- Boston, MA
- Kahului, Maui, HI
* Based on AAA Travel advance bookings for flights and tours July 1-5, 2021
When planning a trip, refer to the new AAA Digital TourBook guides now available for destinations in the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean at TourBook.AAA.com. The new interactive travel guides are available on smartphones, tablets or desktops and offer detailed information on destinations, sights, sample routes and more.
To meet the needs of today’s travelers, AAA is improving his diamond inspections. Hotels that meet AAA standards for cleanliness, condition and new surface cleanliness tests are now recognized as Inspected Clean and then receive the Diamond award. AAA inspectors will begin running tests later this month to identify audited clean properties. In the meantime, travelers can keep an eye out for the AAA’s Best of Housekeeping badge for safety. Before each hotel stay, call to make sure your hotel is open and ask what precautions are being taken to protect guests.
Long delays expected for drivers
INRIX, working with AAA, predicts drivers will experience the worst of traffic jams on the holiday weekend as commuters leave work earlier and mingle with vacationers along with the return trip on Monday lunchtime. In major subway areas in the US, delays could be nearly double compared to typical travel times, with drivers in Boston and San Francisco likely to experience nearly three times as many delays.
“As travelers enjoy taking to the streets this summer, we expect nationwide traffic to increase by about 15% from normal this holiday weekend. Drivers in large subway areas have to be prepared for significantly more delays, ”says Bob Pishue, transportation analyst at INRIX. “Knowing when and where traffic jams arise can help drivers avoid the stress of sitting in traffic. Our advice is to avoid traveling on Thursday and Friday afternoons as well as on Monday lunchtimes. “
Worst and best travel times every day
Travelers: Prepare for higher prices
As demand increases, travelers can expect higher prices for hotels and rental cars. Mid-range hotel rates are up between 32% and 35%, with average room rates ranging from $ 156 to $ 398 for AAA Two Diamond and AAA Three Diamond hotels, respectively.
Daily rental car prices are up 86% from last Independence Day and are now at $ 166. Consumers have experienced high costs and limited rental car availability in some markets as chip scarcity affects automakers. This production delay has had a ripple effect as rental car companies work to increase their inventory of new vehicles in time to meet the increased demand for domestic road transport.
Make sure your car is ready for the road trip
Before hitting the road, AAA reminds motorists to plan their route in advance and make sure their vehicle is ready to avoid breakdowns along the way. AAA expects to save more than 460,000 roadside Americans this Independence Day weekend.
AAA makes it easy to get help – by phone or SMS (1-800-AAA-HELP), App, or on-line– and members can follow the service technician’s progress on the way to their vehicle. Also, do not leave the house without a roadside emergency kit and continue to pack extra snacks or meals and cleaning supplies, including disinfectant wipes.
Regardless of how you plan to get to your destination, AAA advises travelers to seek advice from a knowledgeable travel agent on Independence Day to help plan their trips. To get started and learn more, visit AAA.com/travel.
