AAA: Fewer traveling for the Fourth
Financial jitters are leaving many people at home this Fourth of July holiday.
In its latest national survey, AAA found that 32.6 million people will travel more than 50 miles by car this holiday period, compared to 33.4 million last year. And that’s with lower gas prices - $2.67 a gallon this year vs. $4.07 in 2008.
Mike Right of AAA Missouri said St. Louis gas prices are slightly cheaper at $2.52 a gallon now (compared to $3.96 last year).
“The most recent run up in gas prices, while not a killer, hasn’t motivated people” to plan trips, Right said.
While car trips are down 2.6 percent, AAA expects a slight uptick in air travel - 4.9 percent - during the holiday. That’s because air fares have “moderated” somewhat, he said. That would be welcome news to the airline industry.
Earlier this week, the Air Transport Association reported a 9.5 percent drop in passengers on U.S. airlines in May, compared to the same month last year. Prices are down significantly compared to last year, the ATA reported.
In the current economy a “stay-cation” close to home is part of many people’s plans. And that’s why the theme of the 132nd Annual Veiled Prophet Parade is EVERYBODY NEEDS A VACATION. Come join us for the the nation’s most spectacular Independence Day Parade in downtown St. Louis. In addition, the VP Parade is also the opening event on July 4th for Fair St. Louis. Following July 4th, the riverfront concert series – Live on the Levee – along with the Parade and Fair St. Louis are sponsored by the Veiled Prophet organization. For more information, visit http://www.vpparade.org.
How can anyone travel. Look at the airline ticket prices. Sad, with the way the world is, you would think more deals could/would be offered. Truly is sad, why jack up prices the closer it gets. Why not lower them and get people to fill the planes. Lower gas prices during the holidays, more would travel. Wish the world would think how to generate instead of how to be greedy!
Sandee,
Have noticed lately that the airlines are losing millions of dollars (and for the most part have for years)?
The problem is that (for whatever reason) airline tickets are not even priced to meet the cost of doing business as a airline.
I am flying Cincinnati on July 2nd and returning the morning of July 6th and I got a round trip for $189 plus tax. I can’t drive it that cheap.
You can’t drive to Cincinnati and back for $189? Does your car get 8 miles/gallon?
I don’t get what the big to-to is all about…If you have ANY kind of money-you really don’t need a lot- right now travel is amazingly cheap! Yea it’s gonna be pricey flying domestic, but that’s why I’m going to Belize (SO CHEAP). Not to mention all of the slashed prices on cruises (caribbean, european, south pacific, etc) and resorts in mexico. There has never been a better time to travel.
Flying to Cincinnati for $189, I don’t believe is cheap. You could get there cheaper by car. But I realize looking at your time $189 is great. Kudos for finding a deal.
Check out prices flying from STL to CA. Not cheap and I kept hoping it would get cheaper and no such luck. (close to $800 is that a deal to keep your money in the USA?)
I got beer and bottle rockets, I don’t need to travel no how. Its just like the old time celebrations of yester year.