Saturday, July 03, 1999
The Fourth grows as a highway holiday
Roads could be busiest in 13 years
BY PERRY BROTHERS
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Are we there yet? How much longer?
Imagine how many times those words will whine this weekend as an estimated 32 million Americans take road trips.
Thanks to the strong economy and clear, albeit hot, weather, AAA predicts that this Fourth of July weekend will have more travelers than any weekend since 1986.
“Travel is strong throughout the nation and it's really strong in the Cincinnati area,” said Ginny Hizer, AAA Cincinnati spokeswoman.
Rising gas prices aren't stalling summer road trips. Average prices are up about 3.2 cents nationwide over last year, AAA figures show. In Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana the average prices are $1.10, $1.06 and $1.04 respectively.
But Ms. Hizer said gas prices typically don't affect holiday plans.
Nationally, AAA predicts about 5.4 million people will leave town via ways other than the open road, bringing to 37.4 million the total of people traveling by train, plane or automobile. That's 5 percent more than last year.
The hottest destinations for the Fourth are large cities, which draw repeat customers as fireworks displays and Fourth of July festivities spur family traditions.
Shane Burris, 21, of Clifton is starting his own Fourth of July tradition. For the third straight year, he headed to Chicago Friday to stay with friends, watch the fireworks and attend the last weekend of the Taste of Chicago.
Like many, Mr. Burris is undeterred by gas prices.
“It's usually between $1.10 and $1.20,” he said. “When gas is that high, those fluctuations don't really matter.”
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