AAA expects less holiday travel this July 4th

Associated Press

COLUMBUS

A new forecast says 1.6 million Ohioans will travel at least 50 miles from home for the Independence Day weekend, as 39 million people take trips nationwide.

Auto club AAA said Wednesday it expects holiday travel will be down 2.5 percent from last year, though declining gas prices may prompt last-minute getaways.

Wednesday’s survey from AAA, the Oil Price Information Service and Wright Express put Ohio’s average price for regular-grade gasoline at $3.63 a gallon, down from $3.84 a month ago.

According to AAA, a large majority of Americans traveling between Thursday, June 30 and Monday, July 4 will be driving, including 1.4 million Ohioans. Ohio Fourth of July holiday air travel is expected to be up 27.4 percent from last year.