Coloradoans will travel at a rate 29 percent higher than last year during the upcoming July 4th holiday weekend, compared to a national increase of only 1.2 percent, AAA Colorado said today.
Nationally, 34.3 million people will drive to their destination this weekend, a 1.3 percent increase over last year. The number of people who plan to take to the air this weekend is flat compared to last year, at 4.6 million.
Hotel bookings are down 6 percent and car rentals are down 41 percent, which suggests people are looking for ways to offset high gas prices. A gallon of unleaded fuel in Colorado cost an average of $2.84 today, up 67 cents from last year.
July 4th is traditionally the busiest travel weekend of the summer because it is the first major weekend after schools get out for the year. With the holiday falling on a Tuesday, many people are planning to make it a five-day weekend, AAA Colorado said.
The top five in-state destinations, according to AAA Colorado:
1. Steamboat Springs
2. Denver
3. Colorado Springs
4. Montrose
5. Aspen
The top five out-of-state destinations:
1. Las Vegas
2. Seattle
3. Albuquerque
4. Santa Ana, Calif. (Disneyland)
5. Rapid City, S.D. (Mt Rushmore)
