More New Jersey Residents Expected To Travel for Fourth of July

More New Jersey residents will be traveling for the July 4 than a year ago, and more than the national average increase, according to AAA.

The number of people traveling is expected to increase by 19 percent from 2009 with a projected number of  1.1 million people traveling at least 50 miles from home. A year ago nearly 900,000 New Jersey residents traveled for the holiday. The 19 percent increase in travelers in New Jersey outpaces the national average-where a 17.1 percent increase is forecast.

"The increased travel numbers for this Fourth of July weekend are yet another sign that the economy is in a better place than it was a year ago," said Rick Zeckendorf, vice president of travel services for the AAA New Jersey Automobile Club, in a press release. "It is encouraging to see such growth this summer as people head out to visit family, friends and great destinations."

The people traveling by car is expected to increase by 19.7 percent, by 9.7 percent for those traveling by plane and by 17 percent for those traveling by train, bus, watercraft or other mode of transportation.

AAA also reports gas prices are $.09 higher than they were a year ago for the July 4 holiday. New Jersey motorists are paying an average of $2.61 per gallon of regular gasoline, which is up $.09 from $2.52 a year ago. The price is below the national average of $2.75. The price of gas for July 4 peaked at $3.98 in 2008.

Editor's Note: Millburn Patch Editor Jen Connic contributed to this report.