5.4 million Southern Californians touring for Fourth of July vacation, AAA says

Whether by aircraft, practice or vehicle, extra Southern Californians are touring this vacation weekend.

According to the Automobile Club of Southern California (AAA), more than 5.4 million people are expected to travel 50 miles or more for the Fourth of July vacation.

That’s up barely — 0.5% — since final 12 months, however it’s 8% larger than earlier than the pandemic.

AAA spokesperson Anlleyn Venegas mentioned regardless of gasoline costs being larger than they have been a 12 months in the past, extra persons are nonetheless driving to their locations.

”They’re discovering methods to make it work. They’re adjusting,” she mentioned. ”So possibly, you recognize, they’re looking for extra reasonably priced inns, or possibly they’re staying at a pal’s or a member of the family’s home.”

The hottest locations for Southern Californians embrace San Diego, Palm Springs, Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon, in keeping with AAA.

“In reality, one of many busiest freeways goes to be the 15 (freeway) from San Diego to Palm Springs,” Venegas mentioned.

At San Diego International Airport (SAN), officers expect 800,000 passengers to move via between Sunday, June 28, and Monday, July 6.

“We are expecting about a 10% increase compared to last year at this time,” SAN spokesperson Nicole Hall mentioned. “And San Diego is a beautiful place to visit during the summer.”

With Thursday and Monday being the busiest journey days for the Independence Day vacation, airport officers mentioned it is best to give your self loads of time to keep away from congestion.

That was what occurred to Adam Hall when he returned his rental automobile on the airport rental lot.

“I’d never seen a rental car line that long, and maybe it’s just a product of (this) being the holiday, but we were just in a line that was probably like 60 to 80 yards long,” he mentioned.