AAA Chicago Predicts Slight Decrease in Fourth of July Travel

AURORA, IL, Jun 24 (MARKET WIRE) --
AAA Chicago projects the number of Americans traveling on vacation this
Fourth of July holiday weekend will decrease 1.9 percent from 2008, with
approximately 37.1 million travelers taking a trip of 50 or more miles
from home. Last year, 37.8 million Americans traveled during the same
period, a 10.5 percent decline from 2007.

This year's projected slight decline in leisure travel is mainly due to
ongoing uncertainty about the strength of the economy, especially rising
unemployment and sagging personal incomes.

"While gas prices are significantly lower than this time last year, the
recent rise in pump prices may also cause some travelers to limit or
abbreviate their holiday plans," said Brad Roeber, AAA Chicago's regional
president. In Illinois, gas prices are $2.81, up 39 cents from Memorial
Day weekend, but down $1.38 from last July 4th. In Indiana, regular
unleaded fuel costs $2.74, which is up 45 cents from Memorial Day weekend,
but down $1.37 from July 4, 2008.

In Illinois, nearly 1.7 million people are expected to travel for the
Fourth of July holiday, about the same number compared to last year. Of
those travelers, the majority, or 1.5 million will be traveling by motor
vehicle. About 60,000 people are expected to fly, and the rest will travel
by another mode of transportation. In Indiana, 685,000 people are expected
to travel for the Fourth of July holiday, a 0.5 percent decrease compared
to last year. Most will drive, with 611,000 people expected to travel by
roads and 24,000 people are expected to fly. The rest will travel by other
modes of transportation.

The July 4th holiday period is typically the busiest time of year for
family auto travel since children are out of school. "Those who do travel
on vacation this summer will find attractive discounts and special offers
which result in some outstanding vacation values," Roeber added.

Although air travel will account for only five percent of July 4th leisure
travel, the industry is expected to see a 4.9 percent increase in leisure
travel this holiday due to declining airfares and pent up demand. Two
million people are expected to travel by air.

Fourth of July travelers expect to spend approximately $1,160 per
household, and will log an average of 614 miles roundtrip. According to
AAA's Leisure Travel Index, airfares over the July 4th holiday weekend are
expected to decrease 16 percent from last year. Hotel rates for AAA Three
Diamond and Two Diamond lodgings are expected to be 12 percent less than
last year. Car rental rates are up five percent.

AAA's projections are based on research conducted by IHS Global Insight.
AAA has been reporting on holiday travel trends for more than two decades.
The complete AAA/HIS Global Insight 2009 July 4th holiday forecast can be
found at http://media.aaachicago.com.

AAA Chicago offers automotive, travel agency, insurance and financial
services to more than 900,000 members in Illinois and northern Indiana.
It is part of The Auto Club Group (ACG), the largest affiliation of AAA
clubs in the Midwest, with approximately 4.1 million members in eight
states. ACG belongs to the national AAA federation, a not-for-profit
organization with more than 51 million members in the United States and
Canada.

Media Contact:
Nicole Niemi
AAA Chicago
(630) 328-7237
or
(630) 364-6989

Beth Mosher
AAA Chicago
(630) 328-7234
or
(630) 327-8888

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