Marylanders are gearing for holiday travel – 47abc

MARYLAND – The fourth of July is almost here and that means many Marylanders are gearing up to travel.

“We’re expecting record numbers again for holiday travel,” said Ragina Ali, the Manager, of Public and Government Affairs with AAA Mid-Atlantic.

America’s independence celebration is Fourth of July weekend. Ragina Ali with AAA Mid-Atlantic says many Marylanders are set to hit the roads for all the red, white, and blue festivities. “Here in Maryland, 1.5 million Marylanders are expected to travel over this busy 4th of July holiday period,” said Ali.

Ali says now the fourth travel weekend is extended including the weekend before the holiday and after. Some Marylanders are taking to the skies to get to the fun. “TSA is consistently reporting record-breaking numbers as far as airline passengers go. So here in Maryland, we’re expecting that more than 130,000 Marylanders will be flying over this busy holiday period,” said Ali.

Everyone won’t be hitting the tarmac, Ali says many will be traveling by car. “We are seeing is somewhat consistent with the past, which is the vast majority of people will be driving to their holiday destinations. So here in Maryland, that equates to about 1.3 million Marylanders that will be driving to their holiday destinations,” said Ali.

For those using the car, the good news is filling up at the pump might not be as costly as in the last month. “Gas prices are trending down compared to the last few weeks and last month. But I will say in Maryland, worried about $3.50 a gallon, which is about $0.04 more than last year, but certainly about, I don’t know, 15 to $0.17 less than a month ago,” said Ali.

Ragina Ali recommends that if you can leave the Monday before the fourth that would be the best before congestion picks up. Ali also recommends being careful on the roadways and looking out for police and emergency responders, a part of the Move Over Law.