More Americans expected to hit the roads for the Fourth of July despite economy

Despite the weak economy, 17.1 percent more Americans are projected to hit the roads this Fourth of July weekend than did a year ago.

A survey conducted by the American Automobile Association indicates that 34.9 million travelers, who plan to travel at least 50 miles away from their homes, are projected to hit the road starting Thursday.

That’s up over last year’s 29.8 million travelers for the July 4 holiday.

James Sword, general manager at Microtel Inn and Suites in Bristol, Va., is expecting to see a number of those travelers, even though reservations were running about average as of Tuesday.

Many people don’t make reservations far ahead of time, Sword said. “I expect we will be fairly busy.”

The economy has played a role in holiday travel, according to the AAA.

In 2009, the agency’s annual Fourth travel prediction – of 37.1 million – was much higher than the actual number of travelers on the road.

Stephanie Milani, public affairs specialist at AAA East Tennessee, said the difference was because of a dip in the economy at that time. The agency’s travel survey is conducted roughly six weeks before the holiday.

This year in Virginia, 970,650 residents are expected to travel, which is a 19.3 percent increase from 2009.

The AAA survey also showed that 90 percent of travelers nationwide will travel by automobile and 58 percent will be visiting friends and family.

The expected increase comes despite increasing gas prices over the past few weeks. The current national average, as of Wednesday, is $2.76, a two-cent increase over last week and a 12.2-cent increase over last year. AAA believes the increase is due to higher oil prices and possibly the expected higher demand over the holiday weekend.

The projected average distance travelers will drive for the Fourth is the same as last year’s, at 617 miles, but the median spending is projected to decrease by roughly $50 a trip to $644, AAA said.

AAA also projects that airfares will increase this weekend. Passengers will pay an average round trip-fare of $192, which is a 13 percent increase over last year. But, AAA added, the average airfare is still down from two years ago.

At Sugar Hollow Park in Bristol, Va., lifeguard Penny Stanley said all of the shelters are booked for July 3 and 4, and most will be used for reunions.

With the increased traffic on the roads, law enforcement across the region plans to increase patrols. The Tennessee Highway Patrol announced Wednesday that its officers will conduct sobriety and driver license checkpoints in an attempt to reduce fatalities. During the holiday weekend last year, the patrol said, there were 16 car and five motorcyclist fatalities on Tennessee roads.

The Virginia Department of Transportation plans to lift lane restrictions on interstates, primary routes and other major highways from noon July 2 to noon July 6 to ease traffic.

Some local travel agencies already are seeing the increases.

“People that wanted to go to Nashville or Atlanta last year, now want to go on a four- to five-day cruise,” said Cathy Patton, the officer manager and travel consultant specialist at First Class Travel in Bristol, Va. She said the agency usually sees business increase by roughly 20 percent to 30 percent over holiday weekends.

“People are seeing the economy turn around and they are willing to spend more,” Patton said, adding “we have had a lot more people come into the agency since last year.”

Mel Walls, owner of After Five Starlight Cruises, in Bristol, Tenn., said his business is running about normal.

“It is going to be like it has always been,” Walls said of this weekend. “Normally holiday weekends don’t really make a lot of difference. Cruises and vacations are usually being planned far enough ahead of time so the holiday doesn’t enter into it.”

AAA also said it is expecting an increase in travelers headed to the Gulf Coast states, despite the oil leak.

“As the Deepwater Horizon oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico continues, the situation is changing rapidly and the impact on tourism in the Gulf Coast region is still unknown,” the AAA said in a written statement. “However, currently most beaches remain open and travelers visit these communities for reasons other than boating and swimming including visiting family and friends, state and national parks, golfing, shopping, dining and nightlife.”

Pamela Duff, a travel consultant at the Travel Authority in Johnson City, Tenn., disagrees.

“I know it’s going to be slower than normal because of the Gulf spill. A lot of people aren’t going to the coast,” Duff said. “Usually people want to travel over the 4th of July, but I haven’t found that this year at all.”

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