More Southern Californians expected to travel over June 4 holiday

More than 2 million Southern Californians are expected to travel over the Independence Day holiday weekend, an increase of 19 percent over last year, the Automobile Club of Southern California said on Monday.

Among the 2.57 million local residents who plan to travel, 2.23 million, or 87 percent of them, will get to their destinations by car this holiday weekend, 20 percent more than the 1.85 million who drove to their destinations last year.

A projected 306,000 travelers will fly, which is a 20 percent increase from last year's 173,000 plane travelers, according to the projection.

Statewide, 4.14 million travelers are expected to take holiday trips, also an increase of 19 percent. Car travelers are expected to number 3.58 million, while 306,000 are expected to go by plane.

"As we saw in our summer travel survey earlier this month, people are getting back to traveling, but they are hanging on to value-driven spending habits and are economizing on their trips," said Auto Club spokesman Jeffrey Spring.

"Bargains for Independence Day trips are not as plentiful this year as they were in 2009 when the recession was in full swing, but travelers can always save money by taking shorter trips, going to closer locations and choosing less expensive lodging, eating and entertainment."

Nationally, July Fourth travel is expected to increase by 17 percent compared to last year, with 34.9 million Americans projected to take holiday getaways.

According to the AAA/Auto Club holiday travel survey, the average distance traveled for Fourth of July getaways for local residents will be 470 miles (756 km), and the travel budget will be 756 U.S.dollars on average in California and nearby states.

According to a poll conducted by the Auto Club's AAA Travel Agency, the top five destinations for Southern California travelers are: San Diego; Las Vegas; San Francisco; Central Coast and Grand Canyon.

Source: Xinhua