July 4th Travel Expected to Be Heavier Than Last Year

AURORA, Ill., June 26 -- Americans continue to show an increased interest in leisure travel as evidenced by the estimated 37.4 million people that are expected to travel 50 miles or more from home this Independence Day.

AAA Chicago expects travel to be up nearly 2 percent from last year's projected total of 36.8 million.

"The July 4th period traditionally is the heaviest travel period of the summer and a big turnout this holiday could trigger an upturn in domestic tourism for the remainder of the summer," said Steve Nolan, spokesman for AAA Chicago. "We expect interest in drive trips to strengthen as the summer progresses with air travel to remain soft but improve slightly in the coming months."

Of the total number of vacationers, 32.6 million are expected to travel by motor vehicle, which is up 2 percent from last year. Another 4.3 million people are expected to travel by air, which is down 2 percent from 2002. An estimated 500,000 travelers will take a train, bus or other form of transportation.

The greatest number of motorists is expected to come from the Southeast with 8.2 million and the West with 8.1, followed by the Midwest with 6.3 million; the Northeast, 5.5 million; and the Great Lakes, 4.5 million.

Towns and rural areas lead the list of popular holiday destinations with 22 percent of the travel volume, followed by oceans or beaches with 19 percent; lakes, 17 percent; cities, 15 percent; state or national parks, 9 percent; mountains, 7 percent; theme/amusement parks, 4 percent. Seven percent were undecided or visiting another destination.

AAA Chicago offers automotive, travel, insurance and financial services. It is part of The Auto Club Group (ACG), the largest affiliation of AAA clubs in the Midwest, with 4.1 million members in eight states. ACG clubs belong to the national AAA federation, a not-for-profit organization, with more than 45 million members in the United States and Canada.