The bad news: AAA predicts Americans will travel less this year for the Fourth of July holiday. With gas prices at $4, who can blame them?

The good news: AAA says the drop will be just 1.3 percent, not bad under the circumstances.

“While the numbers of travelers are a bit off from last year’s levels, it is important to note that there are still millions of Americans who plan to travel,” said Mark Madeja, spokesman for AAA South Dakota.

According to AAA, nearly 13 percent of the U.S. population will be driving or flying this holiday weekend despite sky-high gas prices and the nation’s sluggish economy. Many will be taking advantage of travel bargains being offered by hotels and destinations hoping to boost last-minute business.

In South Dakota, 108,357 state residents will travel this holiday weekend, down 1 percent. About 91,000 will travel by car. And we’re hoping that those cars show up in the Black Hills.

AAA noted that the national travel decline is the first such decline this decade.

“Gas prices are continuing to take a toll on travel budgets, but the travel industry is responding, as they have in the past, with discounts, promotions and other incentives to inspire people to travel this year,” Madeja said. “For instance, be on the look-out for free gas card offerings, breakfast promotions, kids-eat-free deals, car rental discounts, and use association discounts, such as those offered by AAA.”