About 41 million Americans will venture 50 miles or more from home during next weekend's Independence Day, with more than 34.8 million choosing to travel by automobile, predicts AAA.

Marking the most number of people traveling since 2007, the July 4 exodus from home is expected to see a 1.9 percent jump over the 40.3 million people who traveled in 2013 and a nearly 14 percent rise compared to the Memorial Day holiday.

Analysts with AAA, a not-for profit travel service organization and federation of motor groups throughout North America, define this year's Independence Day travel period as between Wednesday, July 2, and Sunday, July 6.

While the expected boost in holiday travelers will signal an increase in consumer confidence in the economy, AAA expects the majority of drivers who brave the nation's roads will also likely will pay the highest Independence Day holiday gas prices in six years.

The national average price for a gallon of gas is about 20 cents more expensive than the average on July 4, 2013, which was $3.48 per gallon.

In past years, gas prices actually declined in the weeks leading up to Independence Day, but higher crude oil costs related to the expanding fighting in Iraq has kept prices up.

Overall, AAA does not think higher gas prices will significantly impact the number of people traveling, although it could prompt at least some consumers to cut back on dining, shopping or other secondary trip activities.

According to AAA's Leisure Travel Index, hotel rates for AAA Three Diamond lodgings are expected to increase 9 percent over rates one year ago, with travelers spending an average of $178 per night compared to $164 last year. The average hotel rate for AAA Two Diamond-rated hotels has risen 15 percent with an average cost of $137 per night.