You can expect some company if you plan on hitting the road over Independence Day weekend.
AAA Mid-Atlantic predicts more than 111,000 Delawareans will travel by car or plane over the July 4th holiday, an increase or 2.4 percent over last year and 10 percent more than Memorial Day weekend.
AAA Mid-Atlantic spokesperson Jim Lardear says the increase is largely a result of an improving economy.
"Americans are maybe a little bit more optimistic this summer than in the past, and that optimism is showing up as survey respondents indicated that they’re more willing to take on credit card debt to fund their July 4th holiday," said Lardear.
More than 86 percent of those heading our for the long holiday weekend will do so by car, according to AAA.
Lardear says it makes sense cars are the preferred method of travel over the Independence Day weekend.
"In line with what we think of a traditional all-American holiday, Americans love to take road trips for the July 4th holiday," said Lardear.
Though Lardear says gas prices have risen slightly due to the ongoing crisis in Iraq, it is unlikely to significantly alter travel AAA’s travel predictions.
AAA expects a total of 41 million people will travel nationwide over the holiday weekend.