A record number of travelers will be leaving home this Independence Day weekend, according to AAA.
Nationwide, 44.2 million Americans are expected to travel 50 or more miles from home via plane, train, automobile or ship. That number marks an increase of 1.25 million travelers over last year.
Closer to home, more than 1 million Hoosiers are expected to travel over the holiday period. That’s a 3.2 percent increase over 2016.
The Independence Day travel period begins Friday, June 30 and wraps up Tuesday, July 4.
AAA Senior Vice President of Travel and Publishing Bill Sutherland credits combined strong employment, rising incomes and higher consumer confidence for the spike in travel this year.
Automobile travel remains the most popular means of transportation nationwide, with an estimated 37.5 people expected to drive to their destinations. That’s an increase of 2.9 percent over 2016. In Indiana, an estimated 930,606 Hoosiers will take to the roadways. That’s a 3.4 percent increase from one year ago.
Air travel is up by 4.6 percent over last Independence Day, with 3.44 million people expected to take to the skies. That’s due in part to lower airfares and car rental rates and you can go to this site for complete details. Approximately 46,094 Indiana residents will fly during the holiday period – up 2.3 percent from 2016.
The remaining 3.27 million travelers will look to cruises, trains and buses to reach their holiday destinations.
