U.S. holiday travel expected to approach pre-pandemic levels
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Americans are expected to travel in near-record numbers over the July 4 holiday despite the increased cost of gasoline, rental cars and hotel rooms, according to the trade group AAA.
“Americans are ready to catch up on those missed opportunities with their friends and families from last year, especially to sunny destinations likes beaches and lakes,” said Bevi Powell, senior vice president of AAA’s East Central Region.
AAA said nearly 48 million Americans are expected to travel between Thursday and Monday, up nearly 40% from the July 4 holiday last year when 34.2 million people traveled. This year’s anticipated number is just 2.5% lower than the record number of travelers over the holiday two years ago.
Americans’ pent-up demand isn’t being dampened by increased travel-related costs, according to AAA.
The trade group said gas prices are at their highest level in seven years. Prices at the pump are averaging $3.11 a gallon nationally, $3.20 a gallon in Pennsylvania and $3.24 a gallon in Western Pennsylvania.
The increased prices will affect the vast majority of travelers, as 91% of holiday travelers are expected to travel by car, AAA said.
The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission said more than 5.7 million people are expected to travel along the turnpike between July 2 and July 11.
“The traffic during this 10-day period represents a near return to pre-pandemic traffic levels,” Turnpike CEO Mark Compton said, adding the anticipated number of travelers is expected to be up by more than a 1 million people over last year.
Among other costs, rental-car rates over the holiday are expected to be up 86% from last year because of auto production delays and increased travel demand, while mid-range hotel rates are up to 35% higher from last year, with average nightly rates between $156 and $398, AAA said.
Airfares, however, are down 2% from last year, according to AAA. About 3.5 million people are expected to fly over the holiday, up 164% from last year.
Nationally, AAA said the top five destinations based on advance air and tour bookings will be Orlando, Fla.; Anaheim, Calif.; Denver; Las Vegas; and Seattle.