Holiday travel projected to pick up this year

More than 2.75 million people from the Mountain West are expected to travel more than 50 miles over the Independence Day weekend.

That's a 19 percent increase from the same weekend last year, according to the latest travel survey from the AAA.

"A sense of contained optimism has created a hearty increase of travelers, compared to last year when the recession caused many people to change their plans," said Michael Geeser, the spokesman for AAA in Nevada. "Potential impacts to travel plans, like the Gulf of Mexico oil spill or volatility in the European financial market, aren't stopping Mountain West residents from traveling, as they are decidedly on the move."

Fourth of July marks one of the busiest national holidays. More than 2.43 million residents of Nevada, Northern California and Utah will drive to reach their holiday destinations. That's a 20 percent increase compared to 2009.

Nationally, AAA forecasts just over 34.9 million people will travel 50 miles or more during the Fourth of July holiday weekend, representing a 17 percent increase compared to last year.

Nationally, Independence Day holiday air travel is expected to increase 13 percent when compared to last year, with weekend airfares averaging $192 per ticket, according to the AAA Leisure Travel Index.

Hotel rates at mid-priced lodgings are averaging $141.60 per night and weekend car rentals are forecasted to increase by four percent to an average rate of $54.

A family of four is expected to spend an average $579 over the weekend and the average road trip will cover 926 miles.

According to AAA's survey, the primary leisure activities for Mountain West residents celebrating the nation's birthday will be visiting family and friends, shopping, dining and sightseeing.