Americans poised to take road trips for holiday

(Ferre Dollar/CNN)

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – About 41 million Americans will journey 50 miles or more from home during the Independence Day holiday weekend, according to AAA.

That's a nearly 2 percent increase from the 40.3 million people who traveled last year and a nearly 14 percent increase compared to the Memorial Day holiday weekend.

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The majority of travelers will be celebrating their freedom with a road trip, with more than eight in 10 choosing to travel by automobile, the highest level since 2007.

"With school out for summer, the Fourth of July holiday is typically the busiest summer travel holiday," said Mark Jenkins, spokesman for AAA. "About 5 million more Americans travel for this holiday compared to Memorial or Labor Day weekends."

For those who plan to fly this holiday weekend, you'l l find airfares about 5 percent lower than last year. Car rental costs are about the same as they were in 2013. But hotel rates are bout 12 percent higher on average when compared to last year's Independence Day holiday.


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