July Fourth Travel Down 2 Percent Among Texans

HOUSTON (AP) – Gas prices and a shaky economy will keep more Texans home over the Fourth of July holiday.

AAA Texas says nearly 2.8 million people in the state are expected to take holiday trips this week. The number is almost 2 percent less compared to 2007.

Some 445,000 travelers are expected to fly to their getaway, marking a 4 percent decline from last year. About 2 million will drive to their destination this holiday, a drop of almost 2 percent.

AAA Texas general manager Mark Bell says record-high gas prices and worries over the economy are curbing holiday travel.

Nationwide, AAA anticipates Fourth of July travel will decline 1.3 percent compared to last year. Some 40.45 million Americans are expected to take trips for the holiday.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)