WASHINGTON (CNN) -- AAA says 36.9 million Americans will travel at least 100 miles (160 kilometers) from their homes this July 4 weekend, just under the record 37 million who did so on the same weekend in 1987.

The projection is up from last year's 35.7 million holiday travelers.

"In AAA travel surveys taken throughout the year, only the Christmas/New Year holiday season sees more travelers than the July 4 holiday," said Kevin W. Bakewell, vice president of public and government relations for AAA Auto Club South in Tampa. "This is especially true if July 4 falls on or around a weekend."

July 4 falls on Saturday this year.

Most of the weekend's travelers (31.6 million) will set out driving on the nation's roads, according to AAA's survey, which was conducted by the Travel Industry Association of America (TIA). Another 5.3 million fly, or take a train or bus.

Rural areas and towns are expected to see the most visitors during the holiday, with 26 percent heading there, while oceans and beaches follow close behind at 25 percent. Thirty-seven percent of those spending at least one night plan to stay at a hotel or motel during the holiday, and another 35 percent plan to stay with friends or relatives.

More of the holiday travelers who drive are expected to start their journeys from the Southeast (7.8 million) than from any other region, followed by those from the Northeast at 6.7 million. Another 6.4 million will begin from the West, 5.8 million will head out from the Great Lakes area, and 4.9 million will start in the Midwest.

Family vacations more popular

A separate TIA-conducted survey shows that family vacations are on the rise, with 108.4 million Americans expected to take a family vacation this year. That's a 4 percent increase over 1997.

Baby boomers, aged 33-51, are the most likely to travel with the family (61 percent), followed by 52-66 year-olds at 54 percent. People aged 67 and up are the least likely to travel with family (42 percent), followed by Generation Xers (ages 20-32) at 45 percent.

The survey, conducted for the Better Homes & Gardens Family Vacation Travel Report, showed that families averaged two trips per year, and half the family vacations included children.

The survey also showed that Americans like the idea of a longer family vacation, with 71 percent saying they would take a three-week vacation if they had the time and money to do so.

Family reunions are popular destinations, the survey said. Thirty-nine percent of households said they traveled 100 miles or more to a gathering in the last five years, and 15 percent of all American adults said they travel to family reunions annually.

Ninety-five percent of the vacationers said family trips are a positive experience, and 67 percent said they return home feeling rested and refreshed.