[ad_1]
By AAA // June 23, 2021
3.5 million people planning to fly, flight volumes this Independence Day
ABOVE VIDEO: Travel continues to recover after a year-long pandemic. AAA forecasts Independence Day travel volumes to be the second-highest on record, near the 2019 highs.
Cruise lines have announced that limited sailings will resume from US ports from the end of June.
(AAA) Travel continues to recover after a year-long pandemic. AAA predicts Independence Day travel volumes to be the second-highest on record, near the 2019 highs.
More than 47.7 million Americans will make at least one domestic trip this Independence Day (July 15). This is an increase of almost 40% compared to last year, but only 2.5% less than the holiday weekend of 2019.
The travel figures in Florida are also recovering compared to last year. Nearly 2.6 million Floridians are expected to take a trip over the holiday weekend. That’s the second highest ever, and 36% more than the 2020 holiday season.
Travel is back this summer as Americans eagerly pursue vacations they’ve been putting off 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 kick-off of summer, and all indications are now pointing to a busy Independence Day.
While all modes of transport will see increased demand this Independence Day, road trips continue to dominate this summer. Despite the highest gas prices in seven years, more than 91% of holiday trips will be by car.
43.6 million Americans (2.4 million Floridians) are expected to drive to their destination, the highest record for this holiday and 5% more than the previous record set in 2019.
Road trips give a sense of freedom and greater control over the length of your trip, says Mark Jenkins, spokesperson for AAA The Auto Club Group. Even higher gas prices probably won’t deter Americans from that road trip that many have been waiting for over a year. Motorists are more likely to cut back on other expenses, such as lodging and dining out, to offset higher fuel costs.
Gas prices are most expensive since 2014
The 2.4 million Floridians expected to travel by car are likely to find the most expensive gas prices on Independence Day since 2014. In recent years, Florida gas prices have averaged $2.11 (2020), $2.68 (2019) ), $2.73 (2018), $2.15 (2017), $2.23 (2016), $2.67 (2015), and $3.60 (2014) on Independence Day.
As of Monday, June 21, Florida gas prices averaged $2.94 a gallon. To view daily average gas prices, visit GasPrices.AAA.com.
AAA members can save fuel by participating in the Fuel Rewards at Shell program. Save 30 cents per gallon on your first fill up at Shell when you join between July 1 and August 31, 2021. Sign up now at AAA.com/Shell.
Air travel starts
With 3.5 million people planning to fly, flight volume this Independence Day will reach 90% of pre-pandemic levels and 164% more than last year.
On average, airfares for the holiday season have fallen by 2% compared to the previous Independence Day. The lowest average price per ticket is $175. That’s $4 less than last year and $13 less than the holiday weekend of 2019.
Cruise comeback
An additional 620,000 Americans are expected to travel by other modes this Independence Day, up more than 72% from last year but down 83% from 2019. This includes travel by bus and train, as well as the return of cruising. Cruise lines have announced that limited sailings will resume from US ports from the end of June.
AAA is so excited about the return of cruising and so are our travelers, Haas continued.
AAA Travel Advisors have seen rising demand for cruises and cabins are filling up quickly. While cruise lines have made huge strides in ensuring the safety and security of their crews and passengers, travelers’ requirements can vary depending on who you’re sailing with and where you want to go. This also applies to many facets of travel at the moment. That’s why we highly recommend travelers work with a travel agency, who can help keep you informed and find the trip that’s right for you.
Top destinations and resources to plan your trip
AAA Travel Booking data also points to a strong summer travel recovery. Theme parks in Orlando and Southern California, as well as destinations like Denver, Las Vegas, and Seattle, top the list of Independence Day destinations this year.
Top Independence Day Travel Destinations:
Orlando, Florida
Anaheim, California
Denver, Colorado
Las Vegas, Nevada
Seattle, WA
Chicago, Illinois
New York, NY
Atlanta, GA
Boston, Massachusetts
Kahului, Maui, HI
*Based on AAA Travel Advance flights and tour bookings, July 15, 2021
When planning a trip, check out the new AAA Digital TourBook guides, now available for destinations in the US, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean at TourBook.AAA.com.
Available on smartphones, tablets or desktops, the new interactive guides contain detailed destination information, must-see sights, sample itineraries and more.
Long delays expected for drivers
INRIX, in partnership with AAA, predicts that drivers will experience the greatest congestion heading into the holiday weekend as commuters leave work early and mingle with vacation travelers, along with the return journey on Monday afternoon. Major metro areas in the US can nearly double delays over typical driving times.
With travelers eager to hit the road this summer, they expected nationwide traffic volumes to increase by about 15% over normal this holiday weekend. Drivers in major metro areas should be prepared for significantly more delays, said Bob Pishue, transportation analyst at INRIX. Knowing when and where congestion will develop can help drivers avoid the stress of sitting in traffic. Our advice is not to travel on Thursday and Friday afternoons, along with Monday afternoons.
Worst and best times to travel
Thursday 15.00 – 17.00 After 19.00
Friday 16.00 – 17.00 Before 12.00
Saturday 11:00 – 13:00 After 14:00
Sunday free flow expected
Monday 16.00 – 17.00 Before 13.00
Travelers: Prepare for Higher Prices
Travelers can expect higher prices for hotels and car rentals as demand increases. Mid-range hotel rates have risen between 32% and 35%, with average nightly rates ranging between $156 and $398 for AAA Two Diamond and AAA Three Diamond hotels, respectively.
Daily car rental rates are up 86% compared to the previous Independence Day, capping $166. Consumers in some markets have faced high costs and limited availability of rental cars due to the chip shortage affecting automakers.
This slowdown in production has had a knock-on effect as rental car companies look to increase their inventory of new vehicles in time to meet the increased demand for domestic road transport.
To meet the needs of today’s travelers, AAA is improving its Diamond inspections. Hotels that meet AAA standards for cleanliness, condition, and new surface cleanliness tests are now recognized as Inspected Clean and subsequently awarded a Diamond designation.
Call ahead of a hotel stay to ensure your hotel is open and ask what precautions they take to protect guests.
CLICK HERE FOR NEWS IN BREVARD COUNTY
[ad_2]
picture credit