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!
According to AAA, “This July 4th weekend is expected to set a new record for the number of Americans traveling by car for the holiday. AAA expects 43.2 million people will drive to their destinations, an increase of 2.4% over 2022 and 4% higher than 2019. This summer, gas prices are well below what they were one year ago. The national average for a gallon of regular was $4.80 on July 4th, 2022. Gas prices have remained steady the past couple of months, with the national average hovering around $3.50 to $3.60 a gallon, thanks to the lower cost of oil.
Air travel is also expected to set a new record. AAA projects 4.17 million Americans will fly to their destinations on Independence Day weekend, an increase of 11.2% over 2022 and 6.6% over 2019. The previous July 4th weekend air travel record of 3.91 million travelers was set in 2019. The share of air travelers in the overall holiday forecast this year is an impressive 8.2% – the highest percentage in nearly 20 years.”
If you plan to drink alcoholic beverages, please remember to have a designated driver.
We wish you a happy and safe 4th of July from our team to you and yours. Stay well while you enjoy your family.
Christine Roebuck, MA, BS
CEO/Financial Strategist