SHREVEPORT, La. -- As millions of Americans head out for Fourth of July celebrations, travel experts are encouraging drivers to plan ahead, prepare their vehicles and avoid peak travel times.
More than 60 million people are expected to travel by car over the holiday weekend, according to AAA, with road travelers outnumbering air travelers by roughly 3-to-1. While drivers are getting some relief at the gas pump, the national average price for a gallon of regular gasoline is about $3.83 — about 20% higher than it was a year ago.
For Stuart Morgan, driving offers flexibility as his family travels from Dallas to Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, and Rosemary Beach, Florida.
"We're going to New Orleans. We're going to Bay Saint Louis, Mississippi, and Rosemary Beach," Morgan said.
For long road trips, Morgan says entertainment helps make the miles pass.
"Music, audiobooks and good conversation — and the dog," he said.
Before leaving, automotive experts recommend taking time to inspect your vehicle, especially during the summer heat.
TJ Ebarb of Southern Automotive said high temperatures can put additional stress on vehicles.
"It is a lot worse on the car when it's hotter because the car is hot anyway," Ebarb said. "The temperatures from outside, especially down here, where we get hot during the summer with humidity, are not good at all."
Technicians recommend checking tire pressure, which can be found on the sticker inside the driver's door, along with inspecting oil and other fluid levels, battery terminals and tire wear before starting a long trip.
"If a battery terminal is too loose, eventually the vehicle is going to cut off and no power," a Southern Automotive technician explained.
The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development is also encouraging motorists to plan ahead by using the agency's 511 traveler information system before and during their trip. The department's Motorist Assistance Patrol (MAP) trucks will also be on patrol to help stranded drivers.
"The MAP drivers are able to help change tires, add water to radiators and help in ways like that to get motorists off the shoulder of the road and back driving," said DOTD spokesperson Erin Buchanan.
Buchanan said 14 MAP drivers will be patrolling area interstates and Louisiana Highway 3132 in the Shreveport-Bossier metro area throughout the holiday weekend.
For those returning home Sunday, transportation analytics company INRIX predicts the lightest traffic will be before 11 a.m., while the heaviest congestion is expected between noon and 6 p.m.
Drivers are also encouraged to compare fuel prices before traveling by using the KTBS Gas Tracker.
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd,
racist or sexually-oriented language. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another
person will not be tolerated. Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone
or anything. Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism
that is degrading to another person. Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on
each comment to let us know of abusive posts. Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness
accounts, the history behind an article.
(0) comments
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.