If you’re planning to travel for the 4th of July holiday, expect company.
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Already the roads across Delaware and Delmarva are jammed packed with visitors, so extra caution when out and about this holiday weekend. Triple-A Mid-Atlantic reports that nearly 50 million people will be traveling this weekend, a new record despite gas prices sitting at an average of $4.84 nationwide, with average prices at $4.75 here in Delaware.
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Some tips for traveling this 4th of July includes:
Have a plan A, B and C. Flights, car rentals, accommodations, tours, cruises and other activities are in high demand and availability may be limited, which will impact pricing. Finding last-minute deals is unlikely so it’s recommended to look for discounts and rewards, usually available through a membership like AAA. This is also another time when travel advisors are a great resource since they may know of a deal that may not be readily available to the public.
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Air—AAA finds that the average lowest airfare is 14% more than last year coming in at $201/ticket.
Hotels—Mid-range hotel rates have increased about 23%, with the average lowest nightly rates coming in at $244/night for AAA Approved Hotels.
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Car Rentals— Since late last year, the average daily rate for car rentals has continued to increase. With more people traveling, these prices remain on the rise due to continued supply chain issues coupled with growing demand. However, because we saw record high rental car rates last year for the Independence Day holiday due to limited inventory, daily car rental rates have actually decreased 34% compared to last years holiday, with the average lowest rate coming in at $110/day on average compared to 2019.
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B-E-T on a breakdown-free trip. AAA expects to respond to over 446,000 calls for roadside assistance over the Independence Day holiday weekend. Make sure to get a full vehicle inspection ahead of any long trip but especially for components like a vehicle’s battery, engine and tires. Even a vehicle in top shape can run into an issue so it’s a good idea to pack a well-stocked emergency kit and have roadside assistance just in case.
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Beat the rush. Travel on off-peak times or days or pick a hidden gem closer to home. Based on AAA booking data, Friday, July 1 is shaping up to be the busiest day for air travel during the holiday weekend (June 30 – July 4) with Monday, July 4 being the lightest. For those hitting the road, the Thursday and Friday before the holiday are anticipated to be peak traffic days.
where you can see fireworks set off on this 4th of July:
Bethany Beach: Monday, July 4
Dover: Monday, July 4, at 9:15 p.m
Laurel: Monday, July 4
Lewes: Monday, July 4 (famous boat parade at 1:30 p.m.)
Rehoboth Beach: Sunday, July 3
Smyrna/Clayton: Monday, July 4