Group predicts 3.1M Texans to travel over July Fourth

Fort Worth's Fourth 2013

COPPELL, Texas (AP) — A travel group predicts 3.1 million Texans will hit the road over the Fourth of July holiday period.

AAA Texas on Monday released its projection, which is up about 1 percent compared to Independence Day weekend last year.

The travel period is defined as Wednesday through Sunday. The estimate involves Texans planning to travel 50 miles or more from home, with about 2.6 million likely to opt for auto travel.

Association officials say rising income and a strong employment market are spurring more Texans to take a July Fourth holiday trip this year.