Latest news with #StaceyBarber
Yahoo
27-06-2025
- Yahoo
AAA predicts busiest Fourth of July travel week ever
AAA projects that 72.2 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home for Independence Day this year—setting a new record for the holiday. The 2025 forecast spans two weekends, from Saturday, June 28 to Sunday, July 6, to more accurately capture travel trends. That's an increase of 1.7 million travelers compared to 2024, with families expected to use all modes of transportation — though road trips remain the most popular and affordable, according to AAA Travel. 'Following Memorial Day's record forecast, AAA is seeing strong demand for road trips and air travel over Independence Day week,' said Stacey Barber, vice president of AAA Travel. AAA expects 61.6 million people will travel by car over the holiday — 1.3 million more than last 2024, AAA responded to nearly 700,000 roadside assistance calls during the holiday week. The most common issues were: Dead batteries Flat tires Running out of gas Lockouts To avoid disruptions, AAA recommends drivers get routine vehicle maintenance before hitting the road. Fuel costs may fluctuate during the travel window. While current gas prices are 40 cents lower per gallon than this time last year—the lowest since 2021 — the Atlantic hurricane season could change that. NOAA is predicting a 60% chance of an above-normal hurricane season, and any storms affecting Gulf Coast oil refineries could lead to temporary price hikes. Rental car demand will also spike, with July 3 expected to be the busiest day for pick-ups, according to Hertz. Air travel is expected to hit a new high, with 5.84 million people flying over the holiday week — a 1.4% increase from 2024. Flyers will account for roughly 8% of all travelers. AAA reports the average roundtrip domestic flight will cost $810. To save money, travelers are encouraged to book flights on weekdays, particularly Tuesdays or Wednesdays. Travelers choosing buses, trains, or cruises are expected to total 4.78 million, a 7.4% increase over 2024. Cruises are particularly popular around the Fourth of July, with Alaska cruises drawing major demand during this season. This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: AAA predicts busiest Fourth of July travel week ever
The Hill
26-06-2025
- The Hill
Traveling for July Fourth? When to expect the worst traffic, busiest airports
(NEXSTAR) – With the Fourth of July falling on a Friday, experts at auto club AAA are expecting a record-setting 72.2 million Americans to take a domestic trip over the long weekend, packing the nation's highways, rails and airports. As for road trips, AAA is forecasting that a record 61.6 million people will travel by car – a 2.2% increase, or 1.3 million additional travelers, over last year. 'Summertime is one of the busiest travel seasons of the year, and July 4th is one of the most popular times to get away,' said Stacey Barber, vice president of AAA Travel. 'Following Memorial Day's record forecast, AAA is seeing strong demand for road trips and air travel over Independence Day week. With the holiday falling on a Friday, travelers have the option of making it a long weekend or taking the entire week to make memories with family and friends.' According to transportation data provider Inrix, July 2 and July 6 are expected to be the busiest driving days. With the potential for construction delays, crashes or severe weather, Independence Day travelers are advised to leave early as the afternoon hours are expected to be the most congested. Inrix gave this break down of the best and worst times by day: A number of major highways received special mention when it comes to the worst travel times (all times local): Before fighting your way through Fourth of July traffic, AAA recommends taking the following precautions: get routine vehicle maintenance done beforehand, and make sure to pack an emergency kit. The Transportation Security Administration says it is prepared for the holiday rush at the nation's airports, but warns air travelers that they should expect the busiest day to be Sunday, July 6, when passenger volume is forecast to reach 2.9 million. 'We are deploying technologies and procedures to improve security and enhance the passenger experience, including for families,' TSA Acting Administrator Ha Nguyen McNeill said in a press release. 'We ask travelers to pack their patience, especially during peak travel days, as we work to provide maximum hospitality to our customers.' The TSA also reminds parents and guardians enrolled in TSA PreCheck that children 12 and under can accompany them in the security lanes without any restrictions. AAA projects that the Fourth of July week will see a record 5.84 million air travelers over the Independence Day week, a 1.4% jump from last year's record of 5.76 million. Also up from last year is the average cost of a domestic flight for the holiday – $810 is 4% higher than last year's numbers. According to AAA, the most popular domestic destinations are Orlando, FL; Seattle, WA; New York, NY; Anchorage, AK; Fort Lauderdale, FL; Honolulu, FL; Denver, CO; Miami, FL; Boston, MA; and Atlanta, GA. The top international destination is Vancouver, Canada, followed by Rome, Italy; Paris, France; London, England; Barcelona, Spain; Dublin, Ireland; Amsterdam, Netherlands; Calgary, Canada; Athens, Greece; and Lisbon, Portugal.
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Travel + Leisure
24-06-2025
- Travel + Leisure
Record-Setting 61.6 Million Americans Are Traveling by Car July 4th Week—Here's What AAA Is Advising Roadtrippers
The Great American road trip is roaring back. A record-breaking 61.6 million people are expected to hit the roads over the Fourth of July holiday weekend, which shatters a previous record from 2024 by more than 1 million people. In total more than 72 million people will travel by car, airplane, bus, or cruise ship. With the packed roads and lower gas prices, road warriors can expect delays, but there are easy ways to navigate the traffic and crowds. AAA shares that the busiest days on the road are predicted to be Wednesday, July 2, and Sunday, July 6, as travelers depart and head home from the holiday weekend. 'Following Memorial Day's record forecast, AAA is seeing strong demand for road trips and air travel over Independence Day week,' AAA Travel Vice President Stacey Barber said in a news release. 'With the holiday falling on a Friday, travelers have the option of making it a long weekend or taking the entire week to make memories with family and friends.' The auto agency recommends getting routine car maintenance, an oil change, and emergency kits in place before hitting the road for the safety of drivers and passengers. The agency said that over July 4th week in 2024, it responded to nearly 700,000 troubleshooting calls, ranging from lockouts to flat tires. The report also shows that top destinations for domestic travelers over Independence Day week include Orlando, Florida; Seattle; New York; and Anchorage, Alaska. In terms of most popular international destinations, travelers will be jetting to Vancouver, Rome, Paris, and London, according to AAA's data. The Fourth of July weekend is also a popular time for travelers to rent cars. Rental car firm Hertz shared with Travel + Leisure that Thursday, July 3, will be the busiest day for pickups. And another tip for travelers planning to rent a car: Hertz recently acquired a brand-new fleet of 2025 Jeep Wranglers, and in celebration, the company is offering a 20 percent discount on rentals of its new Jeeps. Travelers hitting the road can also save at the pump, even if it's just a few cents. The price of gas has fallen from highs of $3.70 a gallon in May of 2024, to a low of $3.49 a gallon, according to GasBuddy. The gas pricing website shares that recent international tensions have increased the price of oil, which gets passed to the consumer.
Travel Weekly
23-06-2025
- Business
- Travel Weekly
AAA Travel
2024 sales: $3.96 billion Previous ranking: 14 Employees: 3,878 full-time, 126 part-time 1000 AAA Drive Heathrow, FL 32746 Phone: (407) 444-8402 Website $3.96 billion143,878 full-time, 126 part-time1000 AAA DriveHeathrow, FL 32746Phone: (407) 444-8402 Executives CEO: Gene Boehm VICE PRESIDENT, TRAVEL: Stacey Barber COMPANY FACTS * Privately held. * Owned by AAA members. * Sells directly to consumers. * Sales: 95% leisure, 5% business. DEVELOPMENTS * Expanded its digital presence and tools to enhance the member experience. * Implemented an online international driving permit application. LOOKING AHEAD * Implementing a new GDS across all AAA clubs. * Launching destination-based AAA TourBook content in its TripCanvas dreaming, planning and booking tool. * Seeing strong demand for cruise and tour in first two quarters of 2025 * Expecting strong domestic demand, including tour and cruise, for the remainder of the year.
New York Post
21-06-2025
- New York Post
Summer travel forecast to shatter records for Fourth Of July — here's how many Americans will be on the move
There's going to be a real tournami. The American Automobile Association predicts that a record number of Americans will travel across the country over the July 4th holiday week from Saturday, June 28 to Sunday, July 6. During that period, 72.2 million people will reportedly journey at least 50 miles from home — an increase of 1.7 million travelers compared to last year and 7 million more than in 2019, per the forecast. 'Following Memorial Day's record forecast, AAA is seeing strong demand for road trips and air travel over Independence Day week,' said Stacey Barber, Vice President of AAA Travel. 'The top 10 heaviest travel days in TSA history have all happened within the past year, and we expect to see more heavy volumes this summer,' said Kristie Jordan Smith, a TSA official at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) milanmarkovic78 – Indeed, a record 62 million travelers will be commuting by car over Independence Day weekend, marking an uptick of 1.3 million from last year. Meanwhile, the number of air travelers is also 'projected to set a new record,' per the autoclub, which expects that 5.84 million travelers will jet to their destinations — 8% of all July 4 travelers. That marks a 1.4% increase over the previous record of 5.76 million during Independence Day week of last year. Coney Island beach in New York, which is the third biggest July 4 destination this year, according to AAA booking data. Stock fresh – According to AAA booking data for the July 4 travel period, the top three domestic destinations are Orlando (FL), Seattle (WA), New York, (NY) while internationally the most US travelers are flocking to Vancouver (Canada), Rome (Italy) and Paris (France). 'Cruises, beaches, and fireworks are the main motivators for travelers heading to these cities,' AAA writes. 'Alaska cruises are in peak season, Florida and Hawaii are in high demand for their resorts and attractions, and New York and Boston host two of the most popular fireworks shows in the nation.' AAA spokesperson Aixa Diaz claimed that the expected travel surge is as much an 'emotional decision' as it is a practical or economic one. 'People don't have to spend a lot of money when they go on these trips, but people want to get away and not be home,' she said. The Transportation Security Administration is bracing for the tournami. 'The top 10 heaviest travel days in TSA history have all happened within the past year, and we expect to see more heavy volumes this summer,' said Kristie Jordan Smith, a TSA official at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), CBS reported. Airport officials are hoping to curb the congestion by implementing facial recognition technology. Customs officials claim that wait times are already down 25% thanks to this expeditious tech, which is now operational at nine flight hubs across the country.
