Gas prices prompt Washington travelers to stick closer to home for July 4

With July 4 one of the more popular weekends to travel in summer, many Washingtonians aren't willing to forgo trips — even with gas prices in Washington averaging $4.35 today. Instead, they're saving money by taking shorter trips throughout the region or seeking savings in other travel costs such as meals and lodging.

Larry Breer of Yakima planned on taking a road trip to Kansas this summer. But because of rising gas prices, he and his wife decided to stay close to home in the Pacific Northwest instead.

"We need to get out of the place every once in a while and not sit here in mildew," said Breer, a retired Air Force technical sergeant. "We may take a trip to the Pacific coast with our camper or go down to Oregon. There are some very nice campgrounds there."

To check expected road congestion on Washington highways, see the state's special Web page, www.wsdot.wa.gov/Congestion/IndependenceDay/">www.wsdot.wa.gov/Congestion/IndependenceDay/ Or phone 511 for statewide highway conditions or see www.wsdot.wa.gov to check on ferry and road conditions throughout the state.

Nationwide, despite the high gas prices the AAA estimates that 34.2 million Americans will travel by automobile during the Fourth of July weekend, only a 1.2 percent decrease from the same period a year ago.

Kristin Jackson of Seattle Times Travel contributed to this report.