More Americans expected to travel to celebrate Independence Day

PHOENIX - Nearly 42.3 million Americans are expected to be vacationing during the Fourth of July holiday this year.

AAA reports that this year will mark the highest travel year for the holiday since 2007 and travel estimates are expected to be 5 percent higher than last year.

They are also expecting nearly 830,000 Arizonans to travel at least 50 miles away from home to celebrate.

The director of AAA Arizona, Amy Moreno, said they expect more people to be traveling because the holiday falls in the middle of the week.

“Travelers will extend their weekend into the holiday and take longer trips,” Moreno said, noting that travelers will be willing to travel farther for their vacations either by plane or vehicle.

They estimate that almost 80 percent of people will be driving to their destinations, a 3.8 percent increase from last year.

Road trips are the most economical way to vacation with a family despite gas costs, which are slightly more than they were last year.

Although traveling families and distances traveled will most likely be up from last year, AAA expects spending to be down nearly 37 percent.

Families are learning how to better budget their time and money and are thinking of cheaper activities, explaining the drop in spending.

Regardless, tourism around the country is expected to rise in all other aspects for Independence Day celebrations.

Arizona’s tourism economy, especially in the mountain regions, is also expected to rise.