More Americans are traveling this year than last year. Please remember to check the weather before you take your road trip and pack a backup map just in case your navigation in your car defaults or if you drive out of the range of cell phone towers. Most importantly, please pack your “Patience” and take your time. Tell yourself before you get on the road to expect a lot of other travelers to be on the road with you. Therefore, don’t stress!
Travel group AAA says, “This Independence Day holiday will be the busiest ever, projecting 70.9 million people will head 50 miles or more from home over the July 4th week. That would represent a 5% year-over-year rise and an 8% increase compared with the pre-pandemic levels of 2019. AAA says that gas prices are lower than last year’s national average of $3.53 and projects a record 60.6 million Americans will travel by car.”
“Air travel is also expected to set a new record, with 5.74 million people forecast to fly to their destinations, up nearly 7% from 2023 and 12% over 2019. Seattle, Vancouver, and Anchorage are top destinations for July 4th travelers due to the popularity of Alaskan cruises. Beach trips favor South Florida, Honolulu, and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Barcelona, London, Rome, Dublin, and Paris are among the top European destinations, AAA booking data showed.”
If you plan to drink alcoholic beverages, please remember to have a designated driver. From our team to you and yours, we wish you a happy and safe Fourth of July. Stay well while you enjoy your family.
Christine Roebuck, MA, BS
CEO/Financial Strategist