Truckers Can Expect a Crowd Independence Day Weekend

The roads will be congested this Fourth of July weekend.

The Independence Day holiday travel period runs from Wednesday, July 1 through Sunday, July 5. An estimated 35.5 million people or 85 percent of travelers will drive to their holiday getaway, up about 0.7 percent from last year, according to the AAA travel forecast. “Students all across the nation are also celebrating freedom from homework, making this an ideal time for a family vacation,"

AAA President Marshall L. Doney said. "Independence Day is typically the busiest summer travel holiday for this reason, and more Americans are planning a holiday getaway than any year since 2007."

Gas prices aren’t holding people back in terms of travel expenses. Despite seasonal spikes at the pump, motorists will notice significantly lower prices compared to recent years.

Most drivers will fill-up at the lowest Independence Day price they’ve seen in the last five years, according to AAA. Gas prices are averaging about $2.76, nearly $1 less than the average price during the Fourth of July travel period last year. AAA is predicting that a total 41.9 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more during the Independence Day holiday travel period.