¡°4Independence Day is 5just around the corner and the travel 6forecast is set to be hot.¡±

¡°7AAA(American Automobile Association) is 8predicting that nearly 51 million Americans will travel for the fourth of July weekend, and that's an 9all-time record for us.¡±

AAA's blockbuster forecast predicts that of those 50.7 million travelers who will 10venture more than 50 miles from home, more than 40 million will go by car. 

¡°Friday is going to be the worst day for driving because everyone's going to be on the road at that time. So, you can leave Thursday night or Saturday morning, that would be 11ideal.¡±

And with gas prices holding 12steady, 13spokesperson Andrew Gross doesn't 14anticipate much pain 15at the pump. 

¡°As oil prices have dropped, price at the pump has 16dropped too. So, whereas last year people may have been paying $4.80 to $5 a gallon, now they're going to be paying $3.50 or less in most places.¡±

But the same can't be set for the record 4.2 million flyers set to take off this weekend. 17Airfare is up as much as 50% over last year. To avoid the 18inevitable trouble in the terminal, Gross says to travel early, travel light and stay 19informed. 

¡°Get to the airport on time, have the airlines app on your phone so you can check and see if there are any gate changes.¡± 

And if you've got more travel plans ahead, be prepared. This season isn't 20cooling down. 

¡°I think this is a real scene setter for what we're going to see for the rest of summer. If the fourth of July is really 21packed, then probably the rest of summer travel is really going to be 22robust.¡±