Fourth of July travel volume will be highest on record with 43 million Americans traveling, five million more than Memorial Day

ORLANDO, Fla. (June 27, 2016) – AAA projects nearly 43 million Americans will travel this Independence Day weekend. This represents the highest fourth of July travel volume on record and five million more travelers compared to Memorial Day weekend. The holiday travel period is defined as Thursday, June 30 to Monday, July 4.

“Spurred by the lowest gas prices since 2005, more people than ever are planning to travel this Independence Day weekend,” said Marshall Doney, AAA President and CEO. “Whether they’re traveling by car, plane, train, or cruise ship, it will be exciting to see so many Americans celebrating our nation’s freedom with their friends and family over the long holiday weekend.”

U.S. drivers have saved about $20 billion on gasoline so far this year compared to the same period in 2015, which has made travel more affordable than in recent years. A more confident consumer and rising economic activity also are offsetting a cooling labor market to help boost holiday travel.

Pump prices are holding relatively steady and remain at their lowest levels for this time of year since 2005. Today’s price of $2.31 per gallon represents a savings of three cents per gallon on the week and two cents per gallon on the month. Year-over-year drivers continue to benefit from noticeable discounts in the price to refuel their vehicles, and prices are down 47 cents per gallon versus this same date last year.

This year’s summer driving season is likely to set new records for both gasoline demand and vehicle miles traveled, and the latest data from the U.S. EIA shows that gasoline demand is currently at an all-time high. Strong demand can put additional pressure on refineries, and their ability to sustain output and keep gasoline flowing to markets directly impacts the price consumers pay at the pump. However, refineries are reportedly increasing output and gasoline supply has more than kept pace with growing demand. In fact, the refinery utilization rates reached its highest level since April and gasoline inventories posted an increase in the face of these record numbers. Gas prices have fallen for 16 consecutive days, and if the market can remain adequately supplied drivers are likely to continue paying prices unseen for the summer months in more than a decade.

ATLANTA, June 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Mercedes-Benz USA today announced pricing for the 2017 smart fortwo cabrio.  Arriving in U.S. dealers this fall, the smart fortwo cabrio will start at just $18,900, launching as the most affordable convertible on the market. A twinamic dual-clutch automatic transmission-equipped smart fortwo cabrio starts at $19,890.*

The introduction of the all-new smart fortwo cabrio represents the most expressive variant of the new model series.  Last offered as a 2015 model, the new smart fortwo cabrio is the only convertible priced under $20,000 available in the United States.  Customers can now park virtually anywhere and navigate narrow or city streets and highways effortlessly, all while enjoying the cabriolet lifestyle at an affordable cost. 
   

If you own a certain Hondas or Acuras, the federal safety regulator is saying "Stop driving your car now!"

Car Expert Lauren Fix, The Car Coach is live as she discusses the seriousness of this recall, the cars under the new NHTSA high-risk airbag.

Pump prices have now fallen for 24 straight days and registered their lowest price for yesterday’s Independence Day holiday since 2005. Today’s national average price for regular unleaded gasoline is $2.27 per gallon, which represents a savings of three cents per gallon on the week and nine cents per gallon on the month. Year-over-year drivers continue to benefit from noticeable discounts at the price to refuel their vehicles and prices are down 50 cents per gallon versus this same date last year.