GREENFIELD — Local folks hitting the road this weekend join an estimated 1 million Hoosiers planning to travel for the Fourth of July.
AAA estimates more Indiana residents will travel this Independence Day than any other in recent years thanks to affordable gas prices.
Here’s what you need to know if you or your family are traveling.
1. Millions will travel by car or plane
In its estimates, AAA included all Americans that are traveling 50 miles or more away from home this holiday weekend. Nationally, the organization estimates more than 40 million — 300,000 more than last year — will journey from home.
2. Gas is cheaper
Although Hoosiers have seen seasonal increases in the price of gasoline, the cost of fuel is still cheaper than in recent years. In Greenfield, the average price for a gallon of gas is $2.87.
During last year’s Fourth of July holiday weekend, gas prices in Indiana averaged at $3.67 per gallon. In 2008, a gallon of gasoline in July cost more than $4.
3. Travel expenses are higher, however
Despite lower gas prices this year, the cost of lodging and airfare this Fourth of July weekend is more expensive.
If you booked a hotel for the holiday, you likely paid 6 percent more than last year. The average two-diamond hotel (AAA rating system for hotels) cost about $145 per night, while three-diamond hotels cost about $195 per night.
The average cost of airfare was about 6 percent higher for the top 40 domestic flights this Independence Day.
Source: GasBuddy and AAA
