By the numbers: This July 4th weekend will set travel records

The numbers that matter: All modes of transportation are expected to increase at record-breaking rates during the July 3-8 holiday period, per AAA.

• The cheapest way to travel this year will be by airfare — the lowest in five years — with an average of $171 round-trip for a domestic flight.
• The majority of travelers will drive July 4 weekend — 39.7 million people. But, prices in rental cars hiked up 6%.
• Trains, buses and cruise ships will see about 3.5 million travelers — up about 6% from last year.

The amount of travelers for Independence Day weekend broke the record consistently each year. In 2017, 44 million travelers. In 2016, nearly 43 million.

All that despite:

• The hikes in gas prices since last year. Gas is $.59 more than it was one year ago.

• Hotel room prices are up 11%. The average nightly rate is between $147-$187.
• The ugly travel time that is expected during the holiday weekend with delays up to one and a half to two times longer.

The impact: The service industry is one that has steadily grown in the U.S. and the money spent during holiday weekends can be a strong indicator of a thriving economy, per McKinsey.

• About 9 out of 10 new jobs are projected to be added in the service-providing sector including leisure and hospitality, retail, hotels and recreation, from 2016 to 2026, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.