According to AAA, 1.2 million Virginians will travel to celebrate Independence Day this year, which represents the highest number of holiday travelers since 2009.
“The strong forecast numbers are not surprising as Independence Day is typically the busiest summer travel holiday period and holiday gas prices are expected to be the lowest in five years,” said Martha Mitchell Meade, Manager of Public and Government Affairs for AAA Mid-Atlantic. "The exact prediction, 1,155,774 is up .2% from last year."
Meade credits rising income, driven by a strong employment market, and lower gas prices as the reasons more residents will be motivated to take holiday trips this year.
"Despite recent seasonal increases, gas prices remain well below year-ago levels, which has helped boost Americans’ disposable income," she said.
Residents are seeing a slight drop at the pump recently. AAA reports that Independence Day gas prices should be the lowest in at least five years.
The average gas prices in Virginia has dropped slightly to $2.59 per gallon; locally motorists are seeing prices range from $2.55-2.65 per gallon.
"Today’s price is eight cents higher than one month ago and remains significantly discounted from this time last year with drivers saving an average of 90 cents per gallon year-over-year," she said.
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