Pump pain means more staycations this July 4

Dependence on high-priced gas means fewer Americans will celebrate Independence Day on the road this year.

AAA predicts a nearly 1 million dip in the number of people driving 50 miles or more over the July Fourth holiday from 2010 with 32.8 million expected to travel by automobile.

But flying is up nationwide with slightly more than 3 million heading to airports compared to 2.75 million last year.

Overall, 39 million people will travel 50 miles or more during the holiday versus 40 million in 2010.

Steep gas prices, about $1 more this year for a gallon of regular, are causing the decline, AAA spokeswoman Beth Mosher said.

Pain at the pump is affecting low-income families and AAA expects that the percentage of families with a household income of $50,000 or less who travel during July Fourth will drop from 41 percent last year to 33 percent.

In Illinois, gas prices will be around $3.88 a gallon, a significant jump from $2.87 in 2010.

More Illinoisans will be enjoying staycations this year, with 2.1 million expected to travel — a nearly 3 percent drop from a year ago.