This summer, AAA forecasts that Americans will take nearly 700 million trips based on economic indicators and state re-openings. That number is down nearly 15 percent compared to last July through September and is the first decline in summer travel since 2009. AAA booking trends show Americans are making travel plans, though cautiously and more spur of the moment.

“Americans will go out and explore this summer, but they’re taking a ‘wait and see approach’. They are not booking travel as far in advance and are likely to book more long weekend getaways than extended vacations,” said Holly Dalby, AAA Tidewater Virginia’s director of public affairs. “When they do venture out, travelers will take to the road with 683 million car trips to satisfy their desire for adventure.”

Car trips reign supreme accounting for 97 percent of the favored mode of transportation and will see the smallest decrease in travel volume of just 3 percent year-over-year. Air travel will be off by about 74 perc...