Statewide Iowa — With the 4th of July weekend just ahead, many Iowans will be declaring their independence from the pandemic by taking vacations for the first time in many months.
Meredith Mitts, spokeswoman for Triple-A Iowa, says people are packing up for road trips and jaunts via airplane. Nationwide, more than 47 point 7 million Americans are projected to be plotting getaways between July 1st and 5th.
The travel predictions for the upcoming holiday represent an increase of nearly 40 percent compared to last year, what Mitts says is a remarkable figure.
While all modes of travel will see increased demand this Independence Day, road trips will dominate this summer. Despite the highest gas prices in seven years, Triple-A projects more than 91 percent of holiday travel will be by car. Gasoline prices in Iowa are now averaging $2.89 a gallon, a significant hike from $2.05 a year ago.
Iowa’s cheapest gas is in our area. As of mid-morning Thursday, gas prices in Sheldon were within a penny or two of $2.74 a gallon, while it’s most expensive in Dubuque at $2.96. The national average is $3.07.
