PHILADELPHIA, PA (July 1, 2020) As residents gear up for this weekend’s holiday, AAA Mid-Atlantic urges those planning to hit the road to think safety first as the possibility for more cars on the road increases as states re-open. 

AAA Summer Travel Trends

• This summer, AAA forecasts Americans will take 700 million trips based on economic indicators and state re-openings.
• That number is down nearly 15% compared to last July through September and is the first decline in summer travel since 2009.
• Air travel will be off by 74%; rail, cruise and bus travel will slide 86%.
• AAA booking trends show Americans are making travel plans, though cautiously and more spur of the moment; booking more long weekends than extended vacations.
• Car trips reign supreme accounting for 97% of the favored mode of transportation.

AAA Safe Driver Behavior

• Drive Sober – if you plan to drive, don’t drink. If you plan to drink, select a designated driver and give them your car keys. If you don’t have a designated driver, ask a sober friend for a ride home; call a cab, or stay where you are and sleep it off until you are sober.
• Buckle Up—it’s your best defense against other impaired drivers.
• Avoid Distractions – place your mobile device out of sight to prevent temptation; if using a navigation system, program the destination before driving; if you have to call or text while on the road, pull off the road safely and stop first.

Local and National Gas Prices

• AAA expects the national gas price to average near $2.25/gallon for the third quarter of 2020, which will be a 15% decline from the $2.66 average seen last summer.
• This will be the cheapest summer for filling-up since 2016.

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  When at the pump, AAA recommends wearing disposable gloves or using a plastic sandwich bag to avoid touching the pump handle. When back in your car, be sure to clean your hands with sanitizer or wipes.

Know Before You Go

No matter how a traveler gets to their final destination, AAA recommends considering these points before you go:

• Check the CDC’s Covid-19 data tracker, municipal and state health departments and local news for updates on coronavirus cases and continue to do so while on the road.
• Visit AAA’s Covid-19 Travel Restrictions Map at TripTik.AAA.com for the latest state and local travel restrictions.
• Pack face coverings, gloves and cleaning supplies - like disinfecting wipes, hand sanitizer - and a thermometer.
• Take all necessary travel documentation, including health insurance cards.

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AAA provides automotive, travel and insurance services to 60 million members nationwide and more than 3.2 million members in Pennsylvania.  AAA advocates for the safety and mobility of its members and has been committed to outstanding road service for more than 100 years.  The not-for-profit, fully tax-paying member organization works on behalf of motorists, who can now map a route, find local gas prices, discover discounts, book a hotel and track their roadside assistance service with the AAA Mobile appss for iPhone, iPad and Android.  For more information, visit www.AAA.com.