AAA travel forecast expects more than 785k Coloradans will travel during the holiday weekend
COLORADO (KRDO) -- According to the latest AAA travel forecast, 786,000 Coloradans are expected to travel 50 miles or more during the Fourth of July weekend. It's the second busiest weekend since 2000.
Coloradans set to travel during the holiday weekend will join the additional 47.9 million Americans; it's a 4% uptick travel trend compared to last year.
"Despite high and rising prices on just about everything, we're seeing consistent increases in travel demand," said Skyler McKinley, regional director of public affairs for AAA. "It seems that with so much going in on the world, Coloradans have decided they're due a vacation - and this is the year they're finally taking it."
AAA states 660,000 Coloradans will travel by vehicle over the holiday weekend, 72,000 will travel by plane, and 54,000 will travel by bus, train, cruise ship, and other modes of transportation.
Compared to the nation, 42 million Americans will travel by vehicle, 3.55 million will travel by plane, and 2.42 million Americans will use other modes of transportation.
AAA states this holiday weekend marks a new record for automobile travel, jumping to 1.5% over last year in plane travel. However, plane travel will remain below pre-pandemic levels.
AAA reports the following:
- Average lowest airfare is 14% more than last year, $201 a ticket.
- Mid-range hotel rates are about 23% more than last year, lowest average nightly rates at $244.
- Fourth of July gas prices set to jump 41% compared to last year, the most expensive for the holiday in history. As of Tuesday, Colorado's average gas price recorded was $4.88. Last year, the gas price average was $3.45 and $2.71 in 2019.
- The lowest daily car rental average rate starts at $110 per day this year, that's $40 more per day compared to 2019.
Top U.S. travel destinations, according to AAA:
- Orlando, FL
- Seattle, WA
- New York, NY
- Anaheim, CA
- Anchorage, CA
- Ft. Lauderdale, FL
- Las Vegas, NV
- Honolulu, HI
- Denver, CO
- Chicago, IL
On June 30, drivers should expect lengthy travel delays going into the holiday weekend.
"Even with gas hitting record prices, travelers are still eager to hit the road this summer. We expect nationwide travel times to increase about 50% compared to normal," McKinley said. "Knowing when and where congestion will build can help drivers avoid the stress of sitting in traffic. Our advice is to avoid traveling on Thursday and Friday afternoon."
