July 4 Holiday Travel To Hit 13-Year High, AAA Says
24 June 1999
July 4 Holiday Travel To Hit 13-Year High, AAA SaysORLANDO, Fla., June 23 -- This Fourth of July weekend, an estimated 37.4 million Americans will travel 100 miles or more from home -- the highest volume of travel for that holiday in 13 years, says AAA. That figure represents a 5 percent increase over the same period last year. The record for July 4 travel is 38 million in 1986. Of those taking a trip this holiday, 32.4 million are expected to go by auto, light truck or recreational vehicle, a 5 percent increase over last year. Another 5 million will travel by airplane, train or bus, up 9 percent over the previous year. The greatest number of motorists will come from the Southeast and the West with 8 million each, followed by the Midwest, 6 million; the Northeast, 5.3 million; and the Great Lakes, 5.1 million. The most popular holiday destinations will be cities with 32 percent of the total travel volume, followed by oceans and beaches at 21 percent, and towns and rural areas, 19 percent. Other popular destinations include lake areas, 7 percent; mountain areas, 6 percent; state and national parks, 6 percent; theme/amusement parks, 4 percent; other, 2 percent; and don't know/no response, 3 percent. Of those spending at least one night at their destination, 46 percent will stay at a hotel or motel and 37 percent plan to visit a friend's or relative's home. Other overnight accommodations include: camper/RV, 6 percent; cabin/condo, 6 percent; boat/ship, 2 percent; other, 2 percent; and undecided, 1 percent. AAA is a not-for-profit federation of 90 clubs providing 42 million members in the United States and Canada with travel, financial, insurance and auto-related services. Projected Number of July 4th, 1999 Travelers By Automobile/Truck/RV By Census Region of Residence Population Percent Number of Auto (Millions) Traveling Travelers by Auto (Millions) Total United States 273.0 12% 32.4 Northeast 51.9 10% 5.3 Southeast 66.2 12% 8.0 Great Lakes 44.4 11% 5.1 Midwest 49.3 12% 6.0 West 61.2 13% 8.0 *NORTHEAST: New England: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont; Middle Atlantic: New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania; SOUTHEAST: South Atlantic: Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia; East South Central: Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, Tennessee; GREAT LAKES: East North Central: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin; MIDWEST: West North Central: Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota; West South Central: Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas; WEST: Mountain: Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Wyoming, Utah; Pacific: Washington, Oregon, California. Source: Travel Industry Association, AAA