HOLT, Fla., June 30, 2021—High travel volume and high gas prices are on tap for this holiday weekend.

Holiday travel this Fourth of July is expected to recover from the pandemic levels of last year, with road trips being the primary form of transportation, according to the American Automobile Association.

According to AAA, more than 47.7 million Americans will take to the  nation’s roadways and skies this holiday weekend, making this the second-highest Independence Day travel volume on record.

Number one travel destination: Orlando, based on AAA Travel advance air and tour bookings.

“Travel is in full swing this summer, as Americans eagerly pursue travel opportunities they’ve deferred for the last year-and-a-half,” said Paula Twidale, senior vice president, AAA Travel. “We saw strong demand for travel around Memorial Day and the kick-off of summer, and all indications now point to a busy Independence Day to follow.”

Road trips are the primary form of transportation, despite the highest gas prices in seven years, according to AAA. At $3.09, the national gas price average is at its highest of the year and is not stopping.

That average will increase, possibly as much as another nickel leading up to this holiday weekend as nearly 44 million travelers hit the road.

Nearly 90 percent of all U.S. gas stations are selling regular unleaded for $2.75 or more, an increase over last July 4 with only a quarter of stations were selling gas for more than $2.25, according to AAA.

Gas in Crestview ranges from $2.75 at Petro Express on Ferdon Boulevard to $2.93 at various Tom Thumbs around the area, and well over $3 at Shell, Mobil and Exxon on Ferdon Boulevard.

Staff and AAA news releases