AAA Mid-Atlantic is projecting 846,000 Marylanders will travel 50 miles or more from home during the 4th of July holiday weekend, a 5.3 percent increase compared to 2011.  The auto club's forecast reflects the highest volume of travel by the State's residents in more than a decade.  The Fourth of July holiday travel period is defined as Tuesday, July 3 to Sunday, July 8.

"Declining gas prices and a mid-week holiday, giving travelers an excuse to tack on extra vacation days, appear to be the incentive for the high volume of Marylanders choosing to get away this year," said Ragina C. Averella, Manager of Public and Government Affairs at AAA Mid-Atlantic.  "The 2012 forecast reflects the 3rd consecutive year of travel growth after declines for the 2008 and 2009 holidays."

"Maryland gas prices have been on a steady decline since peaking to a $4.00 gallon average on April 5.  Thus it's not surprising to see a robust volume in auto travel forecasted for this year given favorable gas prices compared to the spring and last year," commented Averella.  As of today, Maryland's average price for a gallon of gas is $3.34, which is a nickel lower than a week earlier and a 12 cents decline compared to this date last month.