Vacation costs are up this summer, but travel over the Fourth of July is still predicted to be busier than a year ago. Triple-A estimates 41 million Americans will be on the road, up about one percent from 2005. Two-point-three million travelers are expected to be Floridians. Gregg Laskoski at the auto club says digging deeper to pay for gas is not keeping many from taking off.

“The prices that we’re looking at today are about 60 to 65 cents higher than where we were last year at this time. I think it’s a combination both of the anticipated volume that’s expected for the holiday as well as the fact that crude oil is up in record territory trading at 72 dollars a barrel. So that explains why we’re seeing the high prices statewide.”

Other vacation costs are also higher compared to one year ago. Hotel rates are up about 10 percent, and car rentals are up five percent.