(Wisconsin) AAA projects Independence Day travelers will set new records both nationwide and in Wisconsin. More than 70.9 million people around the U.S. are expected to travel 50 miles or more away from home. Nearly 1.6 million of those will be Wisconsin residents.
AAA’s Independence Day travel forecast measures domestic trips of 50 miles or more during a 9-day period from Saturday, June 26th to Sunday, July 7th. Despite concerns about inflation, total travel is increasing on growth in consumer confidence, wages, and continued strength in consumer spending.
Consumers are expected to increase spending by 5.5-percent compared to a year ago. Consumer confidence was up in May, and Wisconsin gas prices last month averaged $3.34 a gallon, 13-cents less than a year ago.
The worst times to travel by car before and on July 4thare between 2pm and 7pm. Drivers should hit the road in the morning, and travelers returning on Monday, July 8th should avoid rush hour traffic in the morning and afternoon.
