SG:Gas prices expected to keep many off holiday roads
Still-high gas prices and lingering concerns about the economy will keep many would-be travelers home - or closer to home - this Fourth of July weekend.
An annual travel forecast from AAA Northern California found that about 4.6 million Californians will travel more than 50 miles from home over the three-day weekend - a 2.3 percent decrease compared with last Independence Day.
Despite the fall in gas prices over the past month, "they're still affecting people's decisions," said Cynthia Harris, an AAA spokeswoman. "Last year, if you filled your tank for $40, it's $50 to $55 this year."
Denton Cinquegrana, a senior editor at the Oil Price Information Service, said drivers definitely cut back on their driving as gas prices rose, and many are continuing those efforts, even though the cost of gas has dropped as much as 60 cents per gallon since May.
"Some people are still apprehensive to drive," he said. "I think you'll see more staycation things and fewer of the road trips where people drive up and down the state on the Pacific Coast Highway."
And drivers shouldn't expect to see the gas price slide continue, he cautioned.
"It's going to come to a screeching halt, and begin to rise a bit," he said, predicting a rise of perhaps a nickel per gallon in the next week.
According to the AAA forecast, driving will remain the most popular way for Californians to take holiday trips. About 3.6 million will travel by car - a 2.9 percent decline from last year. Air travel will increase by about 1.7 percent as about 541,000 Californians fly to their destinations. Some 430,000 people will take trains, boats or buses - a dip of about 2.6 percent from last year.
It's not only gas prices that are high. Airfares also have been on the rise, particularly for the holiday weekend. AAA estimates an 11 percent increase in airfares.
But the pricey tickets are not keeping people from flying in and out of San Francisco International Airport. Michael McCarron, an airport spokesman, said the airport expects to see a 4 percent rise in travel over last Fourth of July.
Car rental prices have also crept up, by about 3 percent, as has the price of a hotel room, according to AAA. An average California family of four this year will hit the highways, driving about 602 miles, and spending about $782 over the long weekend.
In addition to gas prices, many Californians are worried about possible job losses and the sluggish economic recovery, Harris said. Those concerns cause some people to stay home, she said, while many travelers still venture forth but cut costs by staying with family or friends.
"Travelers are definitely feeling the budgetary squeeze," Harris said. "But they're still going to find a way to travel."
E-mail Michael Cabanatuan at mcabanatuan@sfchronicle.com.
