AAA: Travelers Are Hitting The Road Early For Fourth Of July Holiday
BALTIMORE (WJZ)—We're just days away from the Fourth of July holiday, and AAA says traffic will be worse this year than in 2011 as more people plan to travel by car.
Rochelle Ritchie speaks with drivers who say they're already seeing a difference on the roads.
According to AAA, a majority of people traveling for the holiday have already hit the road and more are expected to leave Friday.
The gas tanks are full and the interstates are busy with holiday travelers.
"The trip's been pretty pleasant so far," said Donna Picariello, driver.
Rest areas on I-95 are buzzing with holiday travelers from Connecticut, Virginia and Florida.
For Marcello Robledo, his friend and their two dogs, it's a good time to test out their new RV. The group is traveling from Orlando to Cape Cod for July 4 and say the roads are packed.
"It has been a little busy, crowded through the Carolinas," Robledo said.
That's not surprising to AAA, who predicts 25 percent of people driving for the Fourth of July will leave Friday.
AAA predicts "86 percent of Marylanders or 725,000 people will be taking to the roads," said Ragina Averella, AAA spokesperson.
Besides more people traveling, many are going a greater distance. AAA says they're traveling 155 miles more than last year.
Numbers from AAA show an increase of more than 5 percent for people traveling by car for the holiday.
The growing number of people on the road can be credited to the numbers dropping at the pump and little summer construction.
"The traffic slows down but it's not at a standstill-- at least on this trip," Picariello said.
With more people on the road leaving sooner than later is a good idea.
"It's pretty safe to say the roads will be pretty heavily traveled through most of the weekend," Averella said.
AAA says people taking flights for the holiday has also increased 9 percent from a year ago.
Hotel prices this holiday are up, while car rental prices are down.
