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AAA Arizona projecting highest July 4th travel volume since 2007

AAA Arizona projecting highest July 4th travel volume since 2007
Posted at 7:00 AM, Jun 26, 2017
and last updated 2017-06-26 10:00:32-04

Fireworks are flying this Independence Day, as AAA is projecting the highest travel volume in Arizona since 2007.

According to the travel source, more than 865,000 Arizonans are projected to travel over the Fourth of July holiday, representing an increase of 2.5 percent from last year. AAA projects a record-breaking 44.2 million Americans will travel nationwide.

By the numbers: Independence Day Arizona travel forecast:

  • 865,139 Arizonans are expected to travel over the upcoming holiday weekend, a 2.5 percent  increase over 2016.
     
  • While the statewide fuel average remains pennies above year-ago levels, prices remain historically low for the summer travel season. Nearly 694,000 Arizonans – 80 percent of overall travelers – will drive to their Fourth of July destinations, an increase of 2.5 percent over last year.
     
  • Travel costs including airfare, car rentals and hotel are trending lower this year, which is contributing to the lift in air travel. More than 92,000 Arizonans will take to the skies this Independence Day, increasing air travel by 3.7 percent over last year.
     

The current economic landscape including strong employment, rising incomes and consumer confidence is helping to boost the number of planned getaways over the second three-day weekend of the summer, according to AAA.

The Independence Day holiday travel period is defined as Friday, June 30 to Tuesday, July 4. Fourth of July is typically the busiest summer travel holiday, with 78,000 more Arizonans traveling compared to Memorial Day weekend.

AAA’s projections are based on economic forecasting and research by IHS Markit. The London-based business information provider teamed with AAA in 2009 to jointly analyze travel trends during major holidays. AAA has been reporting on holiday travel trends for more than two decades.