AAA, which has a location on Rte. 22 in Springfield, predicts that fewer state residents will take to the road this weekend. Full release below.
FLORHAM PARK, N.J., June 27, 2011-AAA estimates that 1.2 million New Jersey residents will travel 50 miles or more from home this Fourth of July holiday weekend, reflecting a 3% decrease from the number of New Jerseyans who traveled this same period last year (1,262,336). Nationally, AAA expects a slight decrease in the number of holiday travelers this year, with 39 million vacationing away from home, a decline of 2.5 percent from the number of travelers last Fourth of July (40 million).
“Although lower than Memorial Day, gas prices that are still approximately a dollar higher than last year are a factor in the decline of Fourth of July travelers,” said Cathleen Lewis, director of public affairs for the Florham Park-based AAA New Jersey Automobile Club. “In addition, increased fuel costs are also causing a shift in the demographics of the typical Fourth of July traveler, as higher prices at the pump impact lower income households more significantly.”
Although the amount of money spent on gasoline is unlikely to vary across household income groups, it will consume a larger share of the budget for lower income households. As a result, the percentage of travelers with a household income of less than $50,000 or less is expected to decrease from 41 percent to 33 percent, while travelers with a household income of more than $100,000 are expected to increase to 35 percent from 26 percent.
Travel by the numbers:
Automobile
· New Jersey - 1,032,737 (84% of travelers), virtually unchanged from last year
· Nationally - 32.8 million (84% of travelers), a 2.8% decrease from 2010.
Air
· New Jersey - 84,577 (7% of travelers), a decline of 16.7% from those who flew in 2010.
· Nationally - 3.018 million (8% of travelers), an increase of 9.7% from last Fourth of July.
Train, Bus, Watercraft or Other Mode
· New Jersey - 105,896 (9% of travelers), a decrease of 17.1% from 2010
· Nationally - 3.185 million (8% of travelers), a decrease of 9.3% from last year.
Gas prices:
As with the other summer holidays, auto travel is the dominant method of transportation for Fourth of July weekend. Motorists driving to their destinations will see gas prices that--while approximately 22 cents lower than Memorial Day--are still about a dollar more than Fourth of July 2010. Today’s national average price for a gallon of regular gasoline is $3.56, whereas last year gas was averaging $2.75.
A survey of intended travelers found that 56 percent said rising gasoline prices would not impact their travel plans. Of the 44 percent who said they would, seven out of 10 will economize in other areas, and the remaining three out of 10 are planning to take a shorter trip or travel by a different mode of transportation.
Fourth of July gas prices, average per gallon, in New Jersey for the past five years
2011: $3.59 (as of 6/27/11)
2010: $2.60
2009: $2.52
2008: $3.98
2007: $2.81
2006: $2.96
Emergency Road Service:
Fourth of July typically marks the busiest travel holiday for emergency road service calls. As temperatures rise, vehicles are put to the test. Without preventative maintenance, the summer heat increases the likelihood of a motorist experiencing a vehicle failure, leaving them unexpectedly-and dangerously-stranded on the side of the road.
To prevent a breakdown from hampering holiday plans, AAA recommends motorists have their vehicles serviced regularly, based on the manufacturer’s recommended schedule. And before hitting the road, motorists can visit the AAA Car Care Center in Springfield for a free vehicle trip check-a multi-point inspection of the vehicle. Log on toAAA.com/CarCare or call (973) 467-2651 to make an appointment. For motorists who need assistance on-the-go, AAA offers the Approved Automotive Repair Program that identifies quality auto repair facilities. These facilities meet and maintain high professional standards for training, equipment, cleanliness and customer service. Look for the AAA Approved Auto Repair sign at local auto repair shops or search for facilities nearby and along the way atAAA.com/Repair.
AAA also helps motorists prepare for the toll that summer heat can have on vehicle batteries with its Mobile Battery Service. AAA’s battery technicians will travel to members to test their vehicle’s battery and ascertain if it’s near the end of its life, in need of replacement or susceptible to failure in the summer heat.
The AAA New Jersey Automobile Club, headquartered in Florham Park, provides automotive, travel, insurance, financial and educational services to residents of Essex, Morris and Union Counties. Visit AAA online at AAA.com.
AAA’s projections are based on economic forecasting and research by IHS Global Insight. The Boston-based economic research and consulting firm teamed with AAA in 2009 to jointly analyze travel trends during the major holidays. AAA has been reporting on holiday travel trends for more than two decades. The complete AAA/IHS Global Insight 2011 Independence Day holiday forecast can be found at AAA.com/News.
FLORHAM PARK, N.J., June 27, 2011-AAA estimates that 1.2 million New Jersey residents will travel 50 miles or more from home this Fourth of July holiday weekend, reflecting a 3% decrease from the number of New Jerseyans who traveled this same period last year (1,262,336). Nationally, AAA expects a slight decrease in the number of holiday travelers this year, with 39 million vacationing away from home, a decline of 2.5 percent from the number of travelers last Fourth of July (40 million).
“Although lower than Memorial Day, gas prices that are still approximately a dollar higher than last year are a factor in the decline of Fourth of July travelers,” said Cathleen Lewis, director of public affairs for the Florham Park-based AAA New Jersey Automobile Club. “In addition, increased fuel costs are also causing a shift in the demographics of the typical Fourth of July traveler, as higher prices at the pump impact lower income households more significantly.”
Although the amount of money spent on gasoline is unlikely to vary across household income groups, it will consume a larger share of the budget for lower income households. As a result, the percentage of travelers with a household income of less than $50,000 or less is expected to decrease from 41 percent to 33 percent, while travelers with a household income of more than $100,000 are expected to increase to 35 percent from 26 percent.
Travel by the numbers:
Automobile
· New Jersey - 1,032,737 (84% of travelers), virtually unchanged from last year
· Nationally - 32.8 million (84% of travelers), a 2.8% decrease from 2010.
Air
· New Jersey - 84,577 (7% of travelers), a decline of 16.7% from those who flew in 2010.
· Nationally - 3.018 million (8% of travelers), an increase of 9.7% from last Fourth of July.
Train, Bus, Watercraft or Other Mode
· New Jersey - 105,896 (9% of travelers), a decrease of 17.1% from 2010
· Nationally - 3.185 million (8% of travelers), a decrease of 9.3% from last year.
Gas prices:
As with the other summer holidays, auto travel is the dominant method of transportation for Fourth of July weekend. Motorists driving to their destinations will see gas prices that--while approximately 22 cents lower than Memorial Day--are still about a dollar more than Fourth of July 2010. Today’s national average price for a gallon of regular gasoline is $3.56, whereas last year gas was averaging $2.75.
A survey of intended travelers found that 56 percent said rising gasoline prices would not impact their travel plans. Of the 44 percent who said they would, seven out of 10 will economize in other areas, and the remaining three out of 10 are planning to take a shorter trip or travel by a different mode of transportation.
Fourth of July gas prices, average per gallon, in New Jersey for the past five years
2011: $3.59 (as of 6/27/11)
2010: $2.60
2009: $2.52
2008: $3.98
2007: $2.81
2006: $2.96
Fourth of July typically marks the busiest travel holiday for emergency road service calls. As temperatures rise, vehicles are put to the test. Without preventative maintenance, the summer heat increases the likelihood of a motorist experiencing a vehicle failure, leaving them unexpectedly-and dangerously-stranded on the side of the road.
To prevent a breakdown from hampering holiday plans, AAA recommends motorists have their vehicles serviced regularly, based on the manufacturer’s recommended schedule. And before hitting the road, motorists can visit the AAA Car Care Center in Springfield for a free vehicle trip check-a multi-point inspection of the vehicle. Log on toAAA.com/CarCare or call (973) 467-2651 to make an appointment. For motorists who need assistance on-the-go, AAA offers the Approved Automotive Repair Program that identifies quality auto repair facilities. These facilities meet and maintain high professional standards for training, equipment, cleanliness and customer service. Look for the AAA Approved Auto Repair sign at local auto repair shops or search for facilities nearby and along the way atAAA.com/Repair.
AAA also helps motorists prepare for the toll that summer heat can have on vehicle batteries with its Mobile Battery Service. AAA’s battery technicians will travel to members to test their vehicle’s battery and ascertain if it’s near the end of its life, in need of replacement or susceptible to failure in the summer heat.
The AAA New Jersey Automobile Club, headquartered in Florham Park, provides automotive, travel, insurance, financial and educational services to residents of Essex, Morris and Union Counties. Visit AAA online at AAA.com.
AAA’s projections are based on economic forecasting and research by IHS Global Insight. The Boston-based economic research and consulting firm teamed with AAA in 2009 to jointly analyze travel trends during the major holidays. AAA has been reporting on holiday travel trends for more than two decades. The complete AAA/IHS Global Insight 2011 Independence Day holiday forecast can be found at AAA.com/News.
