4th Of July Travel Expected To Decrease
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – The Fourth of July holiday weekend has finally arrived and no matter where you're headed, you'll have plenty of company this year.
According to AAA, roughly 40.8 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles this weekend for fireworks, barbecues, and celebrations. That's a slight decrease from 2012, but the holiday weekend is also one day shorter as the 4th fell on a Wednesday last year.
Travelers can expect the biggest headaches this weekend on Sunday as people return from their destinations by car and by plane.
According to AAA, 84 percent of travelers will hit the road while eight percent will arrive via plane. No matter how they're traveling, it won't be a cheap weekend. Median spending is expected to be roughly $747.
You might also notice an uptick in hotel bills across the country. AAA reported a four-percent increase in rates over the 2012 July 4th holiday at hotels that were rated at least 3-Diamonds. Rental car rates will be even more as the average rate jumps to $58 a day, up 29 percent from last year.
Finally, if you're driving, get ready to pay more at the pump. Gas prices are slightly higher than they were last year, but down from the 2013 highs. The national average of regular unleaded is roughly $3.47, with Hawaii paying the most.
In Fort Lauderdale, gas was averaging $3.495 per gallon, while in Miami-Dade County, gas was just a bit cheaper at $3.480.
