Interstate traffic doesn't take a holiday FOURTH OF JULY >> Longer trips down, but area braces for weekend
Today, Sunday will be worst days for Fourth of July Weekend traffic
Date published: 7/2/2008
By KELLY HANNON
Nothing will stop Americans from celebrating their nation's independence with a road trip, not even gas at $4 a gallon.
Travel will be down 1.3 percent this Fourth of July weekend, but 40.5 million Americans--a little more than 13 percent of the population--are packing their bags, according to a national AAA survey.
The auto association predicted fewer Americans will travel more than 50 miles from home, though, a drop of 550,000 people from Fourth of July 2007. It would be the first time in a decade there has been a drop in travel.
Still, "It's a very, very small decrease," said Mahlon G. "Lon" Anderson, AAA Mid-Atlantic's director of public affairs.
Driving is still the most popular way to go, with 85 percent of holiday travelers taking their car.
Eleven percent of travelers will board an airplane, and the remaining 4 percent will ride a train, bus or boat.
AAA expects 670,100 Washington-area residents to travel this weekend, about 12.5 percent of the local population, and 9,000 fewer people than last year.
People are vacationing at local beaches, he said, rather than driving to Florida or South Carolina.
That does not bode well for traffic in the Fredericksburg area.
"[Interstate] 95 will take a huge hit with Washingtonians who are heading to points south, whether it's Richmond or Virginia Beach or the Carolina shores," Anderson said.
Here's some info to help you on your holiday travels:
Kelly Hannon: 540/374-5436
Email: khannon@freelancestar.com
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Expect Interstate 95 to be crowded today and Sunday, said AAA's Lon Anderson.
Today may be the worst day, as rush-hour commuters, pre-holiday shoppers and vacationers making an early getaway converge on the highway. Northbound I-95 will be congested on Sunday for the return trip, but travelers will spread out over Monday and Tuesday, he said, lessening the pain.
"School's out and people have more flexibility," Anderson said.
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Gas prices should stay level through the weekend. "However, current oil-market chaos, fluctuating geopolitical events and unforeseen weather-related events could all impact crude-oil prices and availability, according to AAA's latest gas-watch statement.
The average price in Fredericksburg for a gallon of unleaded gasoline was $3.95 yesterday, and the Virginia average was $3.98 a gallon.
Nationally, the average was $4.09 a gallon.
A year ago, the average price for a gallon of unleaded gasoline in Virginia was $2.82.
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| Last summer, 18 people died on Virginia roads during the five-day Fourth of July weekend, according to Department of Motor Vehicles data.
Statistically, Independence Day and the days preceding and following are dangerous days to drive, on par with Thanksgiving and Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends. MORE ON DANGERS, PAGE A10
Increased holiday traffic is partly to blame for the high number of fatal crashes, but there is also increased alcohol consumption, Anderson said.
If the threat of killing or maiming others is not a deterrent to drinking and driving, there is the threat of fines and jail time, he said.
"It's no holiday for the police," Anderson said. "They're going to be fully staffed."
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Eleven percent of the 40.5 million Americans traveling over Fourth of July weekend will be flying. But the percentage in the metropolitan D.C. area is higher, with 16.5 percent of local travelers flying.
Flying from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport this week? Check parking availability before you leave by calling 703/417-PARK, or go on the Net to: mwaa.com/reagan. Demand for parking at National is highest midweek, and lots can fill around holidays. A new satellite lot opening soon will provide 700 additional spaces.
Parking is abundant at Baltimore/ Washington Thurgood Marshall International, Richmond International and Washington-Dulles International airports.
The Federal Aviation Administration reminds passengers that fireworks are prohibited in carry-on and checked luggage, mail and cargo. Violators face fines and jail time.
Also, most airlines have instituted checked bag fees to offset higher fuel costs. Call your airline to see what you will pay per bag.
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Date published: 7/2/2008
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