July Fourth travelers prepare for holiday weekend

CHICAGO (WLS) -- People are getting an early start on celebrating the red, white and blue as many are taking a vacation this holiday weekend.

AAA says nearly 42 million Americans will travel for this year's July Fourth - the most since 2007.

"The economy is turning around, people are more secure in their jobs. But also we can't ignore those gas prices. They're the lowest we've seen in five years," said Beth Mosher, AAA.

Spending less money on gas means more savings for a trip, and these drivers say they have been feeling less pain at the pump.

"If you compare from last summer, I think it's still like 50 cents down," said Faiz Rahman.

"It would cost about $50 but two years ago, it would be $80, $90 bucks," said Andy Lam.

Even though Lam is staying in Chicago this weekend, he's preparing to chauffeur his relatives, who are coming in from out of town for the holiday.

The Engel family, in town from Melbourne, Australia, is visiting relatives in Evanston.

"Our kids are going to join their grandparents in a parade, they're very excited, and we have a family tradition to get together," said Tahli Engel.

In fact, Chicago is a popular destination for people wanting to celebrate July Fourth.

"Those who live here tend not to leave because there's so much going on," said Meghan Risch, Choose Chicago.

Risch says between the fireworks at Navy Pier, the Crosstown Classic at Wrigley Field and the Grateful Dead concert at Soldier Field, all 38,000 hotel rooms in the central business district are booked.

"We have heard from people and even the mayor has joked that people are calling him trying to get a hotel room this weekend, so it is a great problem to have," Risch said.

AAA says that if you are planning to hit the road, be sure to get your car checked out - the heat can take just as much toll on your car as the cold. They also say they are expecting to respond to more than 360,000 roadside emergencies this weekend.