By TIME Video
It’s a good thing the unemployment rate is in decline, because celebrating the country’s birthday just got more expensive.
This year, over 40 million Americans will be traveling at least 50 miles to celebrate the Fourth of July. With the average price of gas currently at 3.69, up 20 cents from one year ago, the journey will hit drivers hard. According to AAA, this holiday will be the most expensive for drivers since 2008.
Add that the cost of barbecue foods and beer are all up since last year and party planning becomes more costly.
But worry not — hot dogs are cheaper than this time last year, as are soda and chips, so at least the kids will have something to celebrate.
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