Good news for those heading to their July 4th destination: Gas prices are down nearly 17 percent from last year, according to Hopper, and AAA said prices are expected to continue to fall before the holidays.
AAA predicts that Monday, July 1, will be the best day to hit the road, but opting for Tuesday evening or before noon on Wednesday or July 4 itself will also help you avoid some of the traffic. INRIX, an analytics company that provides transportation data and insights, said the worst times for driving before and on the 4th will be between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., with traffic jams expected to be heaviest in regions metro areas of Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, Houston and Philadelphia. The worst traffic delays for returning travelers will occur on Sunday, July 7, INRIX said.
Hopper reports that rental car rates have remained about the same since July 4, while the travel site Kayak claims they have increased by 9 percent. Experts recommend book as soon as possible to secure your vehicle — and remember, if rates drop after you book, you can rebook at the lower price.
Still too expensive? You might find a good deal on peer-to-peer car rental apps like Turowhich have developed in certain regions of the country.
