A stronger economy, rising consumer confidence and cheap gasoline will likely have Americans traveling in big numbers this Independence Day.

An estimated 41.9 million people will travel 50 miles or more from home during the holiday weekend, up 0.7 percent from last year and the most since 2007, right before the recession, according to travel agency and car lobbying group AAA.

As usual, the vast majority of travelers will be using their cars: about 85 percent. Gas currently costs $2.78 a gallon, down 88 cents from the same time last year. That means a family driving 200 miles on highways will save about $7.30 for their holiday gas this year.

With summer in full swing and with travel escalating, the Mississippi Highway Patrol reminds motorists to stay safe, buckle up, abide by the speed limit and most importantly, stay alert.

“The first thing I would tell everyone driving is stay alert and do not allow something to distract you as you drive,” Mississippi Highway Patrol Troop D spokesperson Tony Dunn said. “There are many things in a vehicle these days that can divert your attention away from your main goal of getting to your destination safely. The most common one is a cellphone.”

Dunn said before motorists start their journey, they should check their tires, lights, turn signals, windshield wipers, all fluids, oil and most of all, check to make sure the gas tank is full.

“We have many, many drivers run out of gas as they are driving somewhere,” Dunn said.

AAA defines the holiday period as July 1 through July 5. But Americans, in general, are already driving more.

The Federal Highway Administration this week announced that Americans drove 987.8 billion miles for the first four months of the year, topping the previous record — 965.5 billion — set in 2007. The government said that the nation’s driving has increased steadily for 14 consecutive months.

More folks are going away this July 4 thanks to the better economy and lower fuel prices which give them more disposable income. However, Independence Day travel predictions are particularly volatile since the holiday falls on a different day of the week each year. Three- or four-day weekends see more travelers, typically.

AAA estimates that mid-range hotels this holiday will cost 6 to 8 percent more and airfare is 6 percent higher.

“Safety is a must. Make sure all passengers front and back are buckled up for safety. Especially the kiddos who can not buckle themselves,” Dunn said.

Taking frequent breaks from driving to stretch also will help to ensure that motorist and passengers don’t get too fatigued.

For motorists taking a road trip this summer, AAA has offered several safety tips:

Get in the habit of conducting periodic safety checks to make sure the motor vehicle is in good operating condition; a safety check includes tires, lights, belts, hoses, fluids and windshield wipers; read the owner’s manual to clearly understand which dash lights or signals indicate the vehicle is not operating properly and what to do in such situations; before a road trip, contact AAA to arrange for a free test of the vehicle’s battery, starting and charging system. This can help determine how much life is left in the battery and if any other components need repairs; program cell phones with emergency numbers, including that of roadside assistance provider and keep a backup written list in the glove compartment; always carry a well-stocked emergency kit; and motorists should familiarize themselves with the use of safety flares, warning triangles and other emergency equipment.

Motorists traveling in Mississippi can dial *47 or *HP and it will direct them with the Highway Patrol if motorist encounter any problems, Dunn said.

“Stay safe and make it safely to your destination.”