It could be a return to the sky for more travelers this Fourth of July weekend.
AAA Mid-Atlantic is predicting a jump in flying this holiday.
With many airlines offering discount travel deals in light of the poor economy, it could be a no-brainer that more people would take to the skies.
But AAA says the number of Washington-area residents taking to the roads for the holiday weekend may fall by nearly 3 percent over 2008, bucking national travel trends seen in recent years.
"Expect a lot fewer fireworks on the travel front this Fourth of July compared to a year ago, as ongoing uncertainty about the strength of the economy will cause fewer Washingtonians to travel during America's birthday," said John B. Townsend II, AAA Mid-Atlantic spokesman, in a press release. "Although travelers likely got a reprieve at the gas pump after a 54-day run-up in gas prices, the damage has already been done because people had already made up their minds."
Gas prices have dropped slightly in the Woodbridge area over the past week, matching similar price drops seen across the region, according to AAA Mid-Atlantic.
The average price at the pump for regular unleaded gas in Prince William County has dropped about five cents in the past week, to about $2.47 per gallon.
Townsend said the national average price in the greater Washington area has fallen to $2.60 per gallon.
But despite the drops, Townsend said fewer people will travel due to increasing joblessness and sagging personal incomes.
This will also translate into bad news for other forms of transportation, like bus, rail and RV travel.
But local economies could benefit because more vacationers are expected stay closer to home this holiday.
"This Fourth of July most Washingtonians, like their counterparts across the country, will become a bunch of 'Backyardigans,'" said Townsend.
Staff writer Uriah A. Kiser can be reached at 703-878-8065.
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