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Connecticut travelers starting the Fourth of July weekend early

Over the course of the next few days, AAA predicts 2.7 million people will be traveling.

WINDSOR LOCKS, Conn. — For many, the holiday weekend started early.

On Friday morning, New Englanders got on their flights and hit the road. Over the course of the next few days, AAA predicts 2.7 million people will be traveling.

“We are going to Busch Gardens, we’re going to see our old neighbor," said one first-time flyer, heading out to Tampa from Bradley International Airport on Friday morning.

RELATED: Connecticut State Police stepping up patrols amid Fourth of July weekend

AAA is expecting record travel numbers, despite an increase in gas prices and other costs.

“With those that have cancelled travel plans over the course of the last two years, they are not letting anything get in their way this year," said Tracy Noble, a Spokesperson for AAA of the Greater Hartford area.

While some of those people will be flying to celebrate the Fourth of July day over the holiday weekend, nearly 90% of travelers will be taking to the roads, not letting costs control everything, according to AAA.

"No not because of the gas prices, no, I will spend the extra money to go see my family," said Art Nigro of Windsor Locks.

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But that doesn’t mean he's not getting a gut punch at the pump, saving in other ways.

"I don’t go to a lot of places I used to go. I used to just take rides up to New Hampshire for the weekend and stuff like that, we don’t do that no more," Nigro said.

RELATED: After two pandemic years, prepare for summer travel chaos

Travel troubles aren’t exclusive to cars, travelers have been having troubles with cancelled and delayed flights across the country. But that's not stopping anyone, either.

"Let’s say everybody decides to stay home right, so why would happen to the kind of people who are employees in that industry? They’ll suffer too, so you have to do what you can right," said Dennis Sulwey of Willimantic.

Julia LeBlanc is a reporter at FOX61 News. She can be reached at jleblanc@fox61.com Follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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