NEW YORK (AP) — Americans who decide to go away this July Fourth holiday have more free days this year. That's because July Fourth falls on a Wednesday.
AAA says last year, when July Fourth fell on a Monday, 40.3 million people traveled.
This year, AAA projects that 42.3 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home between July 3 and July 8. That's roughly the same amount that traveled in 2007, the last time July Fourth fell on a Wednesday.
AAA's Robert Sinclair Jr. says the drop in the price of gas is also helping travelers who take to the roads. Gas is now an average $3.33 per gallon. That's down from almost $4 in early April.
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055-a-13-(Robert Sinclair Jr. spokesman, AAA New York, in AP interview)-"than 150 miles"-Triple-A New York spokesman Robert Sinclair Jr. says the longer holiday weekend means people are able to go further away for their trips. (2 Jul 2012)
<<CUT *055 (07/02/12)>> 00:13 "than 150 miles"
032-w-30-(Julie Walker, AP correspondent, with Robert Sinclair Jr. spokesman, AAA New York)--With July 4th falling on a Wednesday a lot of people had to figure out just how to schedule a vacation. AP correspondent Julie Walker reports. (2 Jul 2012)
<<CUT *032 (07/02/12)>> 00:30
054-a-09-(Robert Sinclair Jr. spokesman, AAA New York, in AP interview)-"near record numbers"-Triple-A New York spokesman Robert Sinclair Jr. says we are tying the record from 2007 with 43.2 million people traveling. (2 Jul 2012)
<<CUT *054 (07/02/12)>> 00:09 "near record numbers"
056-a-16-(Robert Sinclair Jr. spokesman, AAA New York, in AP interview)-"about $3.36 now"-Triple-A New York spokesman Robert Sinclair Jr. says a drop in the price of gas is helping increase the number of July 4th travelers this year along with the longer weekend. (2 Jul 2012)
<<CUT *056 (07/02/12)>> 00:16 "about $3.36 now"
