July 4th travel cools despite cheaper gas
AAA says it expects 37.1 million travelers -- 12 percent of the U.S. population -- to take a trip of 50 miles or more from home this holiday weekend. That's a decrease of 1.9 percent from last year, but far less than the decrease in 2008, when $4 per gallon gas prices caused auto travel to plunged 10.5 percent from the year before. AAA projects that 88 percent of the trips, a total of 32.6 million travelers, will be made in a car, and travelers will spend about $1,160 per household for their trip.
Pacific Grand Prix
Outdoor race kart track opens in Kent
If you're looking for a serious, adrenaline-filled racing opportunity, check out the brand new Pacific Grand Prix karting facility in Kent. The outdoor banked track is almost a mile long with 14 turns and can be arranged in different configurations. The 9 hp karts can go up to 45 mph. Walk-in cost is $25 for 15 minutes of racing, $45 for 30 minutes or $65 for 45 minutes. Helmets and training are included.
--NWautos staff