More Americans will travel this Fourth of July, forecasts AAA

Auto club AAA estimates that 41.9 million Americans will travel over the July 4th holiday, the most in eight years.

A stronger economy and uptick in jobs is helping to boost the number of planned getaways over what is traditionally the most traveled holiday period of the summer, with kids out of school and families kicking off vacations. And cheaper gas is allowing Americans to spend pennies saved at the pump on other activities.

"Although some consumers are using their recent savings on gas to pay down debt and save, overall, Americans are planning to travel in record numbers," Marshall Doney, AAA's president said in a statement. "Independence Day gas prices are expected to be the lowest in at least five years, a welcome sign for the 35.5 million people planning a holiday road trip."

Despite a seasonal spike, most motorists will probably see the lowest fourth of July prices at the pump since at least 2010. The average cost of a gallon of gas nationally is currently $2.78, 88 cents less than last of fourth of July.

If the roads seem a little more congested, it's because they are. Among those traveling, nearly 85% are hitting the highway, a 0.7% uptick over last year. Meanwhile, the number who will get away by air is predicted to rise 1.5% to 3.21 million. Those getting to their destinations by cruise, bus, or train is expected to increase 0.5% to 3.2 million.

However Americans are traveling, they will likely pay a little more for lodging once they arrive. AAA says the average cost to rent a room in a hotel that has a Two Diamond ranking is $145 a day, 6% more than last year, while a stay in a Three Diamond hotel will average $195, a 9% increase.

Airfares are also slightly higher, with the average ticket price on the 40 most popular domestic routes costing $227, 6% more than last fourth of July.